Analysis
NAICS 512 is the 2022 subsector for motion picture and sound recording industries, part of 51 (Information). Census lists 113 example activities under it in the official index.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 12% and employment fell 1%. The 2018 count used NAICS 2017, so part of a large move can come from codes being redefined rather than from businesses opening or closing.
County Business Patterns counts 30,226 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 333,045 people at an average annual payroll of $66,393 per employee (46th percentile of national industries). 75% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which marks it as a small-business industry.
Across its national industries Census lists 113 index entries; typical ones are animated cartoon production, animated cartoon distribution, cinemas and drive-in motion picture theaters.
It splits into 2 more detailed codes. The largest by establishments is 5121 (Motion Picture and Video Industries) with 25,641.
Official definition
Industries in the Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries subsector group establishments involved in the production and distribution of motion pictures and sound recordings. While producers and distributors of motion pictures and sound recordings issue works for sale as traditional publishers do, the processes are sufficiently different to warrant placing establishments engaged in these activities in a separate subsector. Production is typically a complex process that involves several distinct types of establishments that are engaged in activities, such as contracting with performers, creating the film or sound content, and providing technical postproduction services. Film distribution is often to exhibitors, such as theaters and broadcasters, rather than through the wholesale and retail distribution chain. When the product is in a mass-produced form, NAICS treats production and distribution as the major economic activity as it does in the Publishing Industries subsector, rather than as a subsidiary activity to the manufacture of such products.
This subsector does not include establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of video and sound recordings, such as compact discs and audio tapes; these establishments are included in the Wholesale Trade sector. Reproduction of video and sound recordings that is carried out separately from establishments engaged in production and distribution is treated in NAICS as a manufacturing activity. Establishments that primarily acquire the rights to distribute video and sound recordings to the public via television or radio broadcast or streaming distribution services are classified in Subsector 516, Broadcasting and Content Providers. Establishments using facilities and infrastructure that they operate to distribute cable and satellite television subscription programming are included in Subsector 517, Telecommunications.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Index entries (113)
- Animated cartoon production
- Animated cartoon distribution
- Cinemas
- Drive-in motion picture theaters
- Closed captioning services, taped material
- Booking agencies, motion picture
- Music book (i.e., bound sheet music) publishers
- Audio recording postproduction services
- Integrated record companies (i.e., releasing, promoting, distributing)
- Audio recording of meetings or conferences