NACE 60.2 – Television Programming and Broadcasting | Public Tenders

Definition: NACE 60.2 covers the activities of television broadcasters that produce, compile and distribute television programmes via terrestrial transmission, cable, satellite or the internet. In public procurement, this group is relevant for the procurement of studio technology, transmission services, outside broadcasts and IT systems by public-service broadcasters and regulatory authorities.

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

What does NACE 60.2 cover?

NACE 60.2 (Television programming and broadcasting) classifies companies and public-service bodies that produce and broadcast television programmes — the contracting authority with the highest volumes in the audiovisual area of public procurement.

Group 60.2 within Section J (Information and Communication) and Division 60 (Programming and broadcasting activities) comprises one class:

Public contracting authorities under NACE 60.2 are primarily public-service broadcasters (ARD, ZDF, ORF, SRG) and their subsidiaries, production companies as well as regulatory authorities such as the Federal Network Agency and national media regulators.

Public Tenders: Sector NACE 60.2

Television broadcasters are among the largest single contracting authorities in the German and Austrian procurement landscape — from studio technology through vehicle fleets to complex IT systems, hundreds of tenders are published each year.

Typical types of contract

• Camera technology and studio systems: Broadcast cameras, PTZ cameras, vision mixers, graphics systems for studios
• Outside broadcasting vehicles (OB vans): Procurement of mobile production units for live reporting
• Satellite and cable transmission: Satellite capacity, DVB-T2 transmission services, IP delivery
• Post-production systems: Editing software, MAM systems (Media Asset Management), archive solutions
• Outside productions: Commissioning external production companies for documentaries, reportages, entertainment formats
• IT and digital infrastructure: Content management systems, streaming platforms, newsroom systems

Thresholds and procedure types

Television broadcasters as public contracting authorities are subject to public procurement law. Large technical projects (new studio builds, OB vans) regularly exceed the EU threshold for supplies (EUR 221,000) and are tendered EU-wide. Service contracts (productions, IT) follow the threshold of EUR 221,000. Complex system procurements frequently use the competitive dialogue procedure or the negotiated procedure.

Relevant CPV codes for NACE 60.2

TV procurements use CPV codes in the area of broadcast technology, IT and audiovisual 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 60.2 relevant for in public procurement?

Public contracting authorities

ARD and its regional broadcasters (BR, NDR, WDR, MDR, SWR, HR, RB, SR, RBB) as well as ZDF are the dominant public contracting authorities in the German TV sector. The ORF in Austria and the SRG SSR in Switzerland are further significant contracting authorities. These broadcasters tender not only broadcast technology but also extensive IT procurements, vehicle fleets, building management and production services. State media authorities award monitoring contracts and procure technical infrastructure for regulation. Parliamentary administrations procure livestreaming services for the public transmission of parliamentary sessions.

Companies and bidders

Suppliers serving TV broadcasters should consider the following aspects:

• Broadcast standards: Technology must meet international broadcast standards (EBU, SMPTE, DVB)
• Programme/technical separation: Only technical and administrative procurements are subject to tendering; editorial programme decisions are exempt
• Framework agreements: Large broadcasters conclude multi-year framework agreements for frequently required goods and services
• Confidentiality: Production details and programme planning are frequently subject to confidentiality obligations

Frequently Asked Questions on NACE 60.2 and public tenders

Is ARD as a whole institution subject to tendering obligations? Each ARD regional broadcaster is an independent public contracting authority. There are coordinating bodies for certain joint procurements (e.g. ARD.ZDF medienakademie), but no central procurement body for all ARD procurements.

Is the purchase of sports broadcasting rights subject to public procurement law? The acquisition of programme rights (sports rights, film licences) by public-service broadcasters is contested under public procurement law. In practice, such rights purchases are mostly not carried out as classic tender procedures, since they concern market rights.

As a municipal administration, how do I procure livestreaming services for council meetings? Livestreaming services are to be awarded as a service contract. Below national thresholds, comparative offers are sufficient; above that, a formal tender procedure must be carried out. CPV code: 92220000.

May TV broadcasters market advertising directly for public bodies? Public bodies can purchase advertising time on commercial broadcasters and, within certain limits, on public-service broadcasters. The procurement of media services (advertising placements) is likewise subject to tendering obligations where thresholds are exceeded.

NACE 60.2 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 60.1 – Radio broadcasting: Radio transmission and broadcasting
• NACE 59.1 – Motion picture, video and television programme activities: External production companies for TV

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