NACE 60 – Programming and Broadcasting Activities | Public Tenders
NACE 60 Broadcasting: radio and television in public tenders. CPV codes, contracting authorities, procurement procedures for broadcasting services.
Definition: NACE 60 covers the activities of broadcasters that produce and transmit radio and television programmes. This includes public-service and private broadcasters that distribute programmes via terrestrial networks, cable, satellite or the internet.
Legal basis: NACE Rev. 2 (Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006) · Last updated: January 2026
What does NACE 60 cover?
NACE 60 (Programming and broadcasting activities) classifies companies that produce and distribute radio or television programmes — a sector with particular constitutional significance, as public-service broadcasters themselves act as public contracting authorities.
Division 60 within Section J (Information and Communication) is broken down into two groups:
| Group | Title | Typical services |
|---|---|---|
| 60.1 | Radio broadcasting | Radio programmes, web radio, podcasts, DAB+ transmission |
| 60.2 | Television programming and broadcasting | TV full-service programmes, specialist channels, streaming platforms |
Public-service broadcasters (ORF, ARD, ZDF, SRF, SWR, BR and others) act both as contracting authorities for production and technical services and as providers of airtime for official announcements.
Public Tenders: Sector NACE 60
Broadcasters appear in public procurement primarily as contracting authorities — they procure transmission technology, IT infrastructure, production services and building services through regular tender procedures.
Typical types of contract
- Transmission technology and broadcasting infrastructure: Transmitters, antenna systems, control rooms and OB van equipment
- IT infrastructure for broadcasting: Newsroom systems, archiving, metadata management systems
- Production services: External production companies for content not produced in-house
- Security and building services: For broadcasting buildings and studios
- Outreach advertising by public bodies: Authorities book airtime for mandatory announcements (civil protection, election information)
Relevant CPV codes for NACE 60
The link between the NACE classification and tender search is provided by the CPV codes (Common Procurement Vocabulary), which must be stated in every contract notice on TED.
| CPV Code | Title | Application |
|---|---|---|
| 92200000 | Radio and television services | Transmission services, airtime |
| 92210000 | Radio services | Radio productions, DAB+ transmission |
| 92220000 | Television services | TV production, satellite capacity rental |
| 32500000 | Telecommunications equipment and accessories | Transmission technology, broadcast equipment |
| 32321200 | Audio-visual equipment | Studio technology, control rooms, monitors |
| 48810000 | Information systems | Newsroom systems, archiving solutions |
Current tenders with these CPV codes can be found on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) as well as on national procurement platforms.
For Contracting Authorities and Bidders
Public contracting authorities
Public-service broadcasters are considered public contracting authorities in Austria and Germany and are subject to public procurement law — in Austria the BVergG, in Germany the GWB and the VgV. They must tender contracts EU-wide above the applicable thresholds. For the purchase of rights to sporting events, films or musical works, public procurement law generally does not apply, as these are copyright licence agreements.
Companies and bidders
Companies participating in tenders by broadcasters must typically provide the following evidence:
- Technical capability: References for comparable technology supplies or production contracts
- Industry-specific certifications: EBU standards, DVB compliance for transmission technology
- Operational reliability: Evidence of redundant systems and failover (SLA requirements)
- Data protection: Special requirements for the protection of journalistic data and editorial confidentiality
Frequently Asked Questions on NACE 60 and public tenders
Are private broadcasters subject to public procurement law?
No. Private broadcasters are not public contracting authorities and are not subject to public procurement law. Only public-service broadcasters that are financed from public funds (broadcasting fees) are bound by procurement law.
What distinguishes NACE 60 from NACE 59?
NACE 59 covers the production and distribution of films and sound, while NACE 60 classifies the broadcasting of programmes. If a company produces content and broadcasts it itself, the principal activity is decisive.
Can municipalities buy airtime for mandatory announcements?
Yes — booking airtime for official mandatory announcements (e.g. civil protection warnings) is a service procurement. Above the applicable thresholds, a tender procedure must be followed.
Navigation: NACE 60 in context
- NACE J – Information and Communication: Parent section
- NACE 59 – Film and sound recording: Production of audiovisual content
- NACE 61 – Telecommunications: Transmission infrastructure
- NACE 58 – Publishing activities: Media content and software publishing
Last updated: January 2026
All information is provided without guarantee. For legally binding advice, please consult a law firm specialising in public procurement law.
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