Definition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in releasing, promoting, and distributing sound recordings. These establishments manufacture or arrange for the manufacture of recordings, such as audio tapes/cassettes and compact discs, and promote and distribute these products to wholesalers, retailers, or directly to the public. Establishments in this industry produce master recordings themselves, or obtain reproduction and distribution rights to master recordings produced by record production companies or other integrated record companies. Participants in this industry work closely with artists and assist with the release and promotion of new records / tracks. They may obtain master recordings from other record production companies and focus on the promotion and distribution of an album or single track, or they may be involved in the development of a master recording and promotion and distributing that product. Industry works are then passed on to manufacturers of optical media for mass production of the original master recording. Some participants have their own reproduction facilities. Note that this industry does not include record production companies that are not involved in the distribution of records. These companies are not integrated production/distribution companies. These record production companies are classified under NAICS 51221 - Record Production.

IBISWorld research reports contain trend analysis, statistics, market size information, industry growth rates as well as market share of competitors.

Major market segments are identified and also those forces affecting demand and supply within the industry. Performance analysis includes emerging industry trends as well as recent results and performance of each key company. Drawing on the depth of information IBISWorld also provides 5 year forecasts for each industry.

Each comprehensive study also examines details such as the barriers to entry, operating cost structure, technology & systems and domestic & international markets. Tables and statistics include: Industry revenue, exports, imports, wages and number of companies in the industry, Industry growth and geographic regional data.

Each comprehensive study also examines details such as the barriers to entry, operating cost structure (including averages), technology & systems and domestic & international markets. Tables and statistics include: Industry revenue, exports, imports, wages and number of companies in the industry, Industry growth and geographic location.