Revival in CD Sales Sees Major Surge
The first half of 2026 has seen a remarkable increase in CD sales, as reported by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). A total of 17.5 million CDs were sold during this period, which marks a 45.7 percent increase from the 12 million units sold in the same timeframe in 2025. The financial gains were even more significant, with revenue jumping 58.6 percent to reach $171.1 million. This resurgence comes as a surprise, following a 22 percent decline from 2024 to 2025.
Special Editions Fuel Popularity
Research firm Luminate also documented this trend, noting that 16.3 million CDs were sold in the first half of 2026. They attribute a significant portion of this growth to exclusive releases from K-Pop artists like BTS. Additionally, it appears that Gen Z and millennials are largely treating CDs as collectible items; only about half of these buyers reportedly own CD players.
Vinyl and Other Physical Media Also Thriving
The appeal of physical media isn’t limited to CDs. Vinyl sales have continued their ascent, rising nearly 21 percent compared to last year, reaching 26.5 million units. Furthermore, sales of “other physical” media, encompassing CD singles, DVDs, cassettes, and other formats, surged by over 73 percent to 1.6 million units.
Streaming Remains Dominant
Despite the renewed interest in physical formats and a concurrent revival in iPod usage, streaming platforms remain king in the music industry. Streaming revenue increased by 4.7 percent, totalling $4.9 billion, far surpassing the earnings from all forms of physical media combined.
Reporting based on coverage first published by theverge.com.