CD and vinyl sales are surging as frustration with digital media keeps growing

Physical media, including CDs and vinyl records, are experiencing a significant resurgence according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Sales of these formats saw double-digit growth in the first half of 2026, with a notable surge in revenue. This comes amid growing frustration with digital media, as consumers grapple with rising streaming costs and the realization that they do not truly own their digital purchases.

The RIAA reported that recorded music revenues for H1 2026 increased by 6.9% compared to the same period in 2025, outpacing inflation. While streaming continues to dominate as the primary source of music revenue, generating $4.9 billion, up 4.7%, physical media formats made headlines with remarkable growth. Vinyl sales surged by 17.7%, while CDs increased by an impressive 58.6%.

Despite digital revenue growing as well, the RIAA emphasizes that this resurgence of physical media is part of a diversifying marketplace. The shift is driven by factors such as ownership of physical media and frustrations with digital purchasing models. For instance, Sony's decision to remove content from its digital stores, coupled with the lack of permanent ownership in digital purchases, has prompted consumers to return to physical formats.