NACE 60.1 – Radio Broadcasting | Public Tenders

Definition: NACE 60.1 covers the activities of radio broadcasters that produce radio programmes and broadcast them over their own or rented transmission facilities. In public procurement, this sector is relevant for the procurement of transmission equipment, broadcasting services, programme productions, and for the tendering of transmission rights and airtime marketing.

Legal basis: NACE Rev. 2 (Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006) · Last updated: January 2026

What does NACE 60.1 cover?

NACE 60.1 (Radio broadcasting) classifies companies and public-service broadcasting bodies that produce and broadcast radio programmes — from full-service public broadcasters and specialist stations through to local community radio.

Group 60.1 within Section J (Information and Communication) and Division 60 (Programming and broadcasting activities) comprises one class:

Public contracting authorities under NACE 60.1 are primarily public-service broadcasters (ARD, Deutschlandradio, ORF) as well as state media authorities, which issue broadcasting licences and procure transmission infrastructure.

Public Tenders: Sector NACE 60.1

Radio broadcasters procure a wide range of services and technical goods as part of their operations that are subject to public procurement law — from transmission equipment through broadcasting services to programme productions.

Typical types of contract

• Transmission technology and broadcast facilities: Procurement of FM transmitters, DAB+ transmitters, antenna systems and masts
• Transmission services: Satellite uplink, DAB+ multiplex operation, IP streaming infrastructure
• Programme productions: Commissioning external production companies for features, radio plays and special broadcasts
• Studio technology: Mixing consoles, microphones, recording rooms, on-air editing systems
• IT infrastructure: Newsroom systems, playout automation, archive systems
• Frequency management and measurement: Field strength measurements, frequency coordination with authorities

Thresholds and procedure types

Public-service broadcasters as contracting authorities within the meaning of section 99 GWB (or section 3 BVergG) are subject to public procurement law for their procurements. Technical supply contracts frequently exceed the EU threshold (EUR 221,000 for supplies). Complex system supply projects (studio technology, transmission facilities) are tendered in the open or restricted procedure.

Relevant CPV codes for NACE 60.1

Radio procurement covers a broad spectrum of CPV codes, from transmission technology through IT to programme services.

Current tenders with these CPV codes can be found on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) as well as on national procurement platforms.

Who is NACE 60.1 relevant for in public procurement?

Public contracting authorities

ARD broadcasters (BR, NDR, WDR, MDR and others) and Deutschlandradio are the largest public-service contracting authorities in the German radio sector. The ORF is, as the largest public-service broadcaster in Austria, relevant under public procurement law. The state media authorities in Germany award licences and procure monitoring infrastructure. In addition, federal authorities such as the Federal Press Office occasionally procure airtime for information campaigns. Municipal community radio stations may also be subject to public procurement law where they receive public funding.

Companies and bidders

Companies that supply radio broadcasters should note:

• Special broadcasting law provisions: Editorial and programme decisions are exempt from public procurement law; technical and administrative procurements are subject to it
• Technical standards: Transmission technology must meet European standards (ETSI, EN) and national frequency allocation rules
• Long-term contracts: Infrastructure contracts (DAB+ multiplex) often run for 5–10 years and are subject to strict tendering obligations
• Bidding consortia: For complex studio technology, consortia of hardware and software suppliers are common

Frequently Asked Questions on NACE 60.1 and public tenders

Are public-service broadcasters subject to public procurement law in full? Public-service broadcasters are contracting authorities within the meaning of public procurement law for their technical and administrative procurements. Programme decisions (purchase of feature films, choice of presenters) are exempt as editorial activity.

What is DAB+ and why is it relevant in public procurement? DAB+ (Digital Audio Broadcasting) is the digital broadcasting standard in Europe. The operation of DAB+ multiplexes (bundling several programmes on one frequency) is tendered as an infrastructure service and involves high contract values.

Can a municipality procure airtime on a private radio station? Yes — authorities can procure airtime for information campaigns. This procurement is to be classified as an advertising service and must be tendered if it exceeds the thresholds.

How are programme licences (e.g. sports rights) treated under public procurement law? The acquisition of sports broadcasting rights by public-service broadcasters is generally not subject to classic public procurement law, since it concerns rights purchases on the market. The legal position is, however, complex and must be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

NACE 60.1 in context: Section J and Division 60

• NACE J – Information and Communication: Parent section
• NACE 60 – Programming and broadcasting activities: Division covering radio and television
• NACE 59.2 – Sound recording and music publishing: Audio production for radio
• NACE 60.2 – Television programming and broadcasting: TV broadcasters in public procurement

Last updated: January 2026 All information is provided without guarantee. For legally binding advice, please consult a law firm specialising in public procurement law.