NEW YORK: Resurgent demand for CDs helped US recorded music revenue increase nearly 7% during the first half of 2026, highlighting renewed consumer interest in physical music formats, according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
US recorded music revenue climbed 6.9% from a year earlier to $6 billion during the first six months of 2026, RIAA data showed.
The increase builds on the revival of vinyl records and suggests consumers are increasingly embracing retro formats alongside digital streaming services.
CD Revenue Surges as Physical Music Sales Grow
Physical music revenue jumped 25.9% to $731.5 million during the period. CD revenue recorded the strongest increase, surging 58.6%, while vinyl revenue climbed 17.7%.
Consequently, physical formats provided a significant boost to overall industry growth despite accounting for a smaller share of the market than streaming.
The renewed interest in CDs follows years of strong vinyl demand, which has encouraged artists and record companies to release more albums in physical formats.
RIAA Vice President of Research Matt Bass said the figures demonstrated a “healthy, diversified marketplace” that could support continued investment in artists while providing audiences with different ways to experience music.
Streaming Remains Dominant Source of Music Revenue
Meanwhile, streaming continued to generate the overwhelming majority of US recorded music revenue.
Streaming revenue increased 4.7% to $4.9 billion during the first half of 2026, maintaining its position as the industry’s largest revenue source.
Furthermore, revenue from paid subscriptions rose 6.4% to $3.4 billion.
Although digital platforms continue to dominate music consumption, the sharp increase in CD sales shows that physical formats are strengthening their position within the market.
The latest figures suggest consumers are combining streaming subscriptions with renewed demand for tangible music collections, giving the US recording industry increasingly diverse sources of revenue.
