{
  "id": 4866490,
  "title": "RIAA 2026 Mid-Year Report: Streaming Growth Drives Revenue to $6 Billion, CD Sales Increase More Than 50%",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/riaa-2026-mid-year-report-streaming-growth-drives-revenue-to-6",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-01T13:15:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Billboard",
    "slug": "billboard",
    "url": "https://www.billboard.com/pro/riaa-2026-mid-year-report/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) released its 2026 mid-year report on Tuesday, indicating a 6.9% increase in revenue for the U.S. recorded music industry during the first half of 2026. The total revenue reached $6 billion, marking an increase from the previous half of 2025. Streaming emerged as the largest revenue driver, growing by 4.7% to $4.9 billion and accounting for 82% of overall revenues. Vinyl sales saw a 17.7% increase to $554 million, while CDs experienced the most significant percentage boost of 58.6% to $171 million. Synch revenue climbed by 18.2% to $232 million. Streaming revenue, encompassing paid subscriptions, free streaming, and other sources, increased by 4.7%, with premium paid subscriptions rising by 5.5% in units to 111.1 million subscribers and in value to $3.1 billion. Non-premium paid subscriptions dropped by 9% to $239 million, while free streaming reached approximately $900 million, up 3.7%. Album and single downloads saw declines of 2.5% and 3% in units, respectively, with revenue decreasing by 12.7% overall. RIAA Chairman and CEO Mitch Glazier stated that the partnership between labels, artists, and platforms is strengthening connections, driving engagement, and expanding opportunities in the music community.",
  "summary": "Streaming remains the largest revenue driver, having grown by 4.7% to $4.9 billion.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}