NAICS 512110 Quarterly Industry Report
Motion Picture and Video Production
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 512110Sector: Information (51)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This NAICS 512110 industry profile draws from Census Bureau[5] establishment and employment surveys, Bureau of Labor Statistics[6] wage and occupational data for motion picture and sound recording industries, and SBA[7] size standard thresholds. Fair Market Value updates this report quarterly, tracking production spending trends, streaming platform commissioning activity, and state tax incentive program changes. Our research team provides NAICS 512110 valuation professionals with current benchmarks on production budgets, revenue multiples, and content library valuations.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the motion picture and video production industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Motion Picture and Video Production (NAICS 512110) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in producing, or producing and distributing, motion pictures, videos, television programs, or television commercials. Production activities span the full creative pipeline from concept development and scriptwriting through casting, filming, editing, and final delivery. This industry includes major studio productions, independent films, television series, corporate videos, and advertising content.
Census Bureau data[5] shows approximately 16,737 businesses in this industry, employing over 125,000 workers with annual payroll exceeding $13.2 billion. Hollywood studios and their subsidiaries produce the largest-budget theatrical releases, while thousands of independent production companies create content for streaming platforms, broadcast networks, cable channels, and corporate clients. Streaming services have reshaped production economics, increasing demand for original series and films while shifting revenue models away from theatrical box office.
Bureau of Labor Statistics[6] data shows production workers include directors, producers, cinematographers, editors, sound engineers, and production assistants. Revenue models range from studio distribution deals and licensing agreements to flat-fee corporate video contracts and advertising agency production budgets. Labor costs dominate expenses, with above-the-line talent (writers, directors, lead actors) commanding premium rates. Production hubs in Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, and New Mexico benefit from state tax incentive programs that attract filming activity.
What's Included in This Industry
- Feature film production for theatrical and streaming release
- Television series and episodic content production
- Television commercial and advertising content creation
- Documentary film and non-fiction video production
- Corporate video and training content production
- Music video production and direction services
- Animation and computer-generated imagery production
- Live event filming and multicamera production services
- Short film and web series content creation
- Virtual production and LED volume stage operations
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Information | 51 |
| Subsector | Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries | 512 |
| Industry Group | Motion Picture and Video Industries | 5121 |
| NAICS Industry | Motion Picture and Video Production | 51211 |
| National Industry | Motion Picture and Video Production | 512110 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 512120 | Motion Picture and Video Distribution | Motion picture and video distribution firms that acquire rights to completed productions and arrange theatrical, broadcast, and streaming exhibition separate from the production process |
| 512191 | Teleproduction and Other Postproduction Services | Teleproduction and postproduction service establishments providing editing, color grading, visual effects, and sound mixing services to production companies on a contract basis |
| 512199 | Other Motion Picture and Video Industries | Other motion picture and video industry firms including film libraries, stock footage services, and film preservation operations that support production activities |
| 541810 | Advertising Agencies | Advertising agencies that commission television commercial production, representing a major revenue source for commercial production companies classified under this code |
| 512230 | Music Publishers | Music publishers that license compositions for use in motion picture and television soundtracks, creating revenue flows between music rights holders and production companies |
| 711110 | Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters | Theater companies and dinner theaters providing live performance talent that overlaps with the acting workforce employed by film and television production firms |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 40.2% | 7,114 |
| 2 | New York | 12.7% | 2,247 |
| 3 | Florida | 5.7% | 1,009 |
| 4 | Texas | 4.2% | 741 |
| 5 | Georgia | 3.3% | 586 |
| 6 | Illinois | 2.6% | 459 |
| 7 | Colorado | 1.8% | 319 |
| 8 | North Carolina | 1.7% | 306 |
| 9 | Washington | 1.7% | 305 |
| 10 | New Jersey | 1.7% | 298 |
% Of Establishments
0%
40%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
1,384
Total SBA Loans
$330.4M
Total Loan Volume
$239K
Average Loan Size
10 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.98%
Average Interest Rate
8,000
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: Under SBA size standards[7], NAICS 512110 businesses qualify as small with average annual receipts up to $40 million. Production companies can access SBA 7(a) loans[8] for equipment purchases, studio facility investment, and working capital to bridge production-to-distribution revenue gaps. The 504 loan program[9] supports acquisition of production stages, post-production suites, and camera and lighting equipment. Independent producers frequently use SBA financing to supplement gap funding between equity investment and distribution advances.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association | 112 | $39.7M | $354K |
| 2 | First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company | 8 | $36.6M | $4.6M |
| 3 | Northeast Bank | 208 | $35.5M | $171K |
| 4 | Newtek Bank, National Association | 184 | $34.7M | $189K |
| 5 | KeyBank National Association | 16 | $23.6M | $1.5M |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses are classified under NAICS 512110?
Film studios, independent production companies, television production firms, commercial video producers, documentary filmmakers, and animation studios are classified under NAICS 512110. Distribution-only companies fall under NAICS 512120[10], and post-production services under NAICS 512191.
How is NAICS 512110 structured within the Information sector?
NAICS 512110 sits within Subsector 512 (Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries), alongside distribution (512120), exhibition (512131/512132), post-production (512191), and other video industries (512199). Production is the upstream creative activity that feeds content into all downstream exhibition and distribution channels.
What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 512110?
The SBA size standard[7] for NAICS 512110 is $40 million in average annual receipts. This revenue-based threshold determines small business eligibility for SBA lending programs and federal contracting set-asides.
What NAICS codes are most closely related to 512110?
Related codes include 512120 (Motion Picture and Video Distribution), 512191 (Teleproduction and Postproduction Services), 512199 (Other Motion Picture Industries), 541810 (Advertising Agencies), and 516120 (Television Broadcasting). These codes span the content creation and distribution chain.
What industries drive the most demand for motion picture production?
Streaming platforms (516210), television networks (516120), and advertising agencies (541810) generate the largest production budgets. Census Bureau data[5] shows over 16,700 production companies nationally, reflecting strong demand from entertainment and commercial content markets.
What activities are included in NAICS 512110?
Included activities cover feature film production, television series creation, commercial video production, documentary filmmaking, animation, music video production, and corporate video creation. Distribution-only operations are excluded per Census Bureau[11] and classified under NAICS 512120.
Are NAICS 512110 businesses eligible for SBA loans?
Where are NAICS 512110 businesses geographically concentrated?
Los Angeles remains the dominant production hub, followed by New York, Atlanta, and Albuquerque. State tax incentive programs in Georgia, New Mexico, Louisiana, and New York have drawn substantial production activity away from California per Census Bureau[5] establishment data. Bureau of Labor Statistics[6] employment figures confirm these regional shifts.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [4]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [5]Census Bureau data data.census.gov
- [6]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [7]SBA sba.gov
- [8]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [9]504 loan program sba.gov
- [10]NAICS 512120 census.gov
- [11]Census Bureau census.gov
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