Industry Description
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in record production (e.g., tapes, CDs) 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 audio tapes/cassettes 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.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in--
Business Examples
Common types of business activities within NAICS 512250 - Record Production and Distribution are:
- Record releasing, promoting, and distributing combined with mass duplication
- Sound recording, integrated production, reproduction, release, and distribution
- Musical recording, releasing, promoting, and distributing
- Integrated record companies (i.e., releasing, promoting, distributing)
- Record production (except independent record producers) without duplication or distribution
- Master recording leasing and licensing
- Prerecorded audio tapes and compact discs integrated manufacture, release, and distribution
- Integrated record production and distribution
- Sound recording, releasing, promoting, and distributing
- Record producers (except independent)
IBISWorld Industry Research Report
Independent Label Music Production in the US (51221)
Revenue 2025
$0.7bn
Growth 2025
1.73%
Key Trends
Revenue has fallen as low royalty rates from streaming have failed to make up for losses in album sales
Labels have struggled to adjust to the success of streaming services
Album sales will rise but won't bring back revenue growth
Products and Services
Similar Industries
For some business types, there may be a similar industry to 512250 - Record Production and Distribution that is a better classification match. Establishments primarily engaged in:
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NAICS Cross Reference
Mass duplication of recorded products--are classified in U.S. Industry 334614, Software and Other Prerecorded Compact Disc, Tape, and Record Reproducing;
IBISWorld industry research report
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NAICS Cross Reference
Merchant wholesale distribution of blank audio cassettes, tapes, and discs--are classified in Industry 423690, Other Electronic Parts and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers;
IBISWorld industry research report
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NAICS Cross Reference
Merchant wholesale distribution of prerecorded audio cassettes, tapes, and discs--are classified in Industry 423990, Other Miscellaneous Durable Goods Merchant Wholesalers;
IBISWorld industry research report
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NAICS Cross Reference
Promoting and authorizing the use of musical works in various media--are classified in Industry 512230, Music Publishers;
IBISWorld industry research report
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NAICS Cross Reference
Providing facilities and technical expertise for recording musical performances--are classified in Industry 512240, Sound Recording Studios;
IBISWorld industry research report
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NAICS Cross Reference
Managing the careers of artists--are classified in Industry 711410, Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Other Public Figures; and
IBISWorld industry research report
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NAICS Cross Reference
Producing albums on contract as independent producers--are classified in Industry 711510, Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers.
IBISWorld industry research report
NAICS Hierarchy 512250 - Record Production and Distribution
NAICS Code 512250 - Record Production and Distribution sits in the 2-digit Record Production and Distribution sector. NAICS codes can be 2- to 6-digits and the further along the hierarchy, the more detailed and specific the category will be. Learn more about the structure of NAICS codes
2 Digits: 51
Sector Title: Information
3 Digits 4 Digits 5 Digits 6 Digits
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5111 Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers
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51111 Newspaper Publishers
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51112 Periodical Publishers
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51113 Book Publishers
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51114 Directory and Mailing List Publishers
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51119 Other Publishers
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5112 Software Publishers
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51121 Software Publishers
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5121 Motion Picture and Video Industries
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51211 Motion Picture and Video Production
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51212 Motion Picture and Video Distribution
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51213 Motion Picture and Video Exhibition
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51219 Postproduction Services and Other Motion Picture and Video Industries
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5122 Sound Recording Industries
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51223 Music Publishers
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51224 Sound Recording Studios
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51225 Record Production and Distribution
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51229 Other Sound Recording Industries
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5151 Radio and Television Broadcasting
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51511 Radio Broadcasting
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51512 Television Broadcasting
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5152 Cable and Other Subscription Programming
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51521 Cable and Other Subscription Programming
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5173 Wired and Wireless Telecommunications Carriers
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51731 Wired and Wireless Telecommunications Carriers
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5174 Satellite Telecommunications
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51741 Satellite Telecommunications
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5179 Other Telecommunications
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51791 Other Telecommunications
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5182 Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services
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51821 Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services
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5191 Other Information Services
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51911 News Syndicates
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51912 Libraries and Archives
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51913 Internet Publishing and Broadcasting and Web Search Portals
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51919 All Other Information Services
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NAICS Resources
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