Analysis
NAICS 512250 is the 2022 national industry for record production and distribution, part of 51225 (Record Production and Distribution). Census lists 10 example activities under it in the official index.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 36% and employment rose 20%. 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 888 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 11,458 people at an average annual payroll of $177,355 per employee (99th percentile of national industries). 76% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which marks it as a small-business industry.
Census lists 10 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 512230, 512240, 516110 and 516210. Businesses that do several things are classified by their primary activity, the one that generates the most value, so check those boundaries before settling on this code.
Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include integrated record companies (i.e., releasing, promoting…, integrated record production and distribution, master recording leasing and licensing and musical recording, releasing, promoting, and distributing, among 10 in all.
For example, promoting and authorizing the use of musical works in various media are classified in 512230 (Music Publishers) instead.
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in record production and/or releasing, promoting, and distributing sound recordings to wholesalers, retailers, or directly to the public. These establishments contract with artists, arrange and finance the production of original master recordings, and/or produce master recordings themselves, such as digital music and compact discs. Establishments in this industry hold the copyright to the master recording, or obtain reproduction and distribution rights to master recordings produced by others, and derive most of their revenues from the sales, leasing, licensing, or distribution of master recordings.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Promoting and authorizing the use of musical works in various media | 512230 Music Publishers |
| Providing facilities and technical expertise for recording musical performances | 512240 Sound Recording Studios |
| Operating radio broadcasting stations, that may acquire the right to distribute content and subsequently broadcast or distribute that content | 516110 Radio Broadcasting Stations |
| Operating radio broadcasting networks, including satellite radio networks, that may acquire the right to distribute content and subsequently broadcast or distribute that content | 516210 Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers |
| Mass duplication of recorded products | 334610 Manufacturing and Reproducing Magnetic and Optical Media |
| Merchant wholesale distribution of blank audio compact discs | 423690 Other Electronic Parts and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers |
| Merchant wholesale distribution of prerecorded audio compact discs | 423990 Other Miscellaneous Durable Goods Merchant Wholesalers |
| Managing the careers of artists | 711410 Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Other Public Figures |
| Producing albums on contract as independent producers | 711510 Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers |
| Producing live musical entertainment (except theatrical musical or opera productions) and independent (i.e., freelance) artists primarily engaged in providing live musical entertainment | 711130 Musical Groups and Artists |
Index entries (10)
- Integrated record companies (i.e., releasing, promoting, distributing)
- Integrated record production and distribution
- Master recording leasing and licensing
- Musical recording, releasing, promoting, and distributing
- Prerecorded audio tapes and compact discs integrated manufacture, release, and distribution
- Record producers (except independent)
- Record production (except independent record producers) without duplication or distribution
- Record releasing, promoting, and distributing combined with mass duplication
- Sound recording, integrated production, reproduction, release, and distribution
- Sound recording, releasing, promoting, and distributing