512120 Motion Picture and Video Distribution

Official definition

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in acquiring distribution rights and distributing film and video productions to motion picture theaters, television networks and stations, other media broadcast and streaming outlets, and exhibitors.

Source: US Census Bureau, 2022 NAICS descriptions.

When to use a different code

Census classifies these close-sounding activities somewhere else. Businesses mainly engaged in:

• Producing and distributing motion pictures and videos are classified in Industry 512110, Motion Picture and Video Production.
• Operating television broadcasting stations, that may acquire the right to distribute content and subsequently broadcast or distribute that content are classified in Industry 516120, Television Broadcasting Stations.
• Providing media streaming distribution services or operating media broadcasting and cable television networks, that may acquire the right to distribute content and subsequently broadcast or distribute that content are classified in Industry 516210, Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers.
• Providing cable and satellite television distribution services using facilities and infrastructure that they operate are classified in U.S. Industry 517111, Wired Telecommunications Carriers.
• Merchant wholesale distribution of blank digital video discs (DVDs) are classified in Industry 423690, Other Electronic Parts and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers.
• Merchant wholesale distribution of prerecorded digital video discs (DVDs) are classified in Industry 423990, Other Miscellaneous Durable Goods Merchant Wholesalers.
• Providing mass duplication and packaging of video tapes and discs are classified in Industry 334610, Manufacturing and Reproducing Magnetic and Optical Media.
• Providing motion picture footage (via film libraries) to producers are classified in U.S. Industry 512199, Other Motion Picture and Video Industries.
• Renting video tapes and discs to the general public, including through vending machines are classified in U.S. Industry 532282, Video Tape and Disc Rental.
• Retailing digital video discs (DVDs) to the general public are classified in Sector 44-45, Retail Trade.

Source: US Census Bureau, 2022 NAICS cross-references.

Activities listed under 512120

The Census index assigns these 9 activities to this code. If your business matches one, this is your code.

• Animated cartoon distribution
• Film distribution agencies
• Film distribution, motion picture and video
• Film libraries, commercial distribution
• Motion picture distribution exclusive of production
• Motion picture film distributors
• Motion picture film libraries, commercial distribution
• Tape distribution for television
• Television show syndicators

Source: US Census Bureau, 2022 NAICS index file.

SBA size standard for 512120

To count as a small business for SBA loans and federal contracts under NAICS 512120, your business (including affiliates) must not exceed $39 million in average annual receipts. Check your business.

Source: SBA table of size standards, effective March 17, 2023.

Closest UK SIC 2007 codes

There is no official one-to-one link between NAICS and UK SIC. These codes share the same international class (ISIC Rev. 4: 5913), so treat them as a starting point and check the definition.

• 59131Motion picture distribution activitiesUK SIC
• 59132Video distribution activitiesUK SIC
• 59133Television programme distribution activitiesUK SIC

Built from Census concordances 2022→2017 NAICS and 2017 NAICS→ISIC Rev. 4.

Similar codes to compare

• 512110Motion Picture and Video Production