CD Revenue Surged Nearly 60% in First Half of 2026

In the first half of 2026, CD revenue surged nearly 60%, reaching $171 million according to the Recording Industry Association of America's mid-year report. This represented a 58.6% increase from the previous year, making it the category with the sharpest percentage growth in the industry. Vinyl sales, while still substantial with $554 million in revenue, grew at a more modest 17.7% rate.

Overall, physical music revenue climbed by 25.9%, highlighting a significant turnaround for CDs, which had been seen as relics of the past. This growth came despite streaming dominating the recorded music market, accounting for $4.9 billion out of a $6 billion total industry revenue. The increase was largely driven by K-pop releases, which offered collectible packaging and multiple variants, leading to a 6.7% growth in CD sales even when K-pop was excluded.

Despite this impressive growth, physical formats remain a fraction of the streaming revenue, indicating that while CDs are enjoying a resurgence, they are still a long way from challenging streaming's dominance in the industry.