{
  "id": 5579695,
  "title": "CD sales are making an unexpected comeback amid a retro tech boom",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/cd-sales-are-making-an-unexpected-comeback-amid-a-retro-tech-boom",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-04T15:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TechCrunch",
    "slug": "techcrunch",
    "url": "https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/04/cd-sales-are-making-an-unexpected-comeback-amid-a-retro-tech-boom/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Retro tech is experiencing a resurgence, as evidenced by a recent report from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). CDs, often considered relics of the past due to the rise of digital streaming platforms like Spotify, are regaining popularity. The RIAA recently revealed that CDs generated $171.1 million in revenue during the first half of 2026, marking a 58.6% increase from the $107.9 million recorded during the same period last year. This resurgence is particularly notable as it follows a decline in CD sales in 2025, which saw a 7.8% drop in revenue and an 11.6% decrease in units sold compared to 2024.\n\nThis trend of renewed interest in simpler technology, such as CDs and vinyl records, coincides with a broader movement towards devices that offer users more control over their interactions with technology. For the younger generation, known as Gen Z, this represents a longing for an era of technology that was less intrusive and more manageable. As a result, startups are capitalizing on this demand by introducing products like landlines and non-smartphones. These products cater to those who seek to disconnect from the constant notifications, addictive apps, and algorithms that characterize modern tech.\n\nGen Z consumers are actively seeking out these devices, often finding them in thrift stores or on vintage technology websites such as eBay or Retrospekt. It's important to note, however, that the RIAA's statistics do not include used CD sales, which may represent a larger market than initially reported. Additionally, the figures do not account for the transfer of older CDs from one generation to another, such as when Gen X parents pass their CDs on to their children.\n\nThere is a minor caveat to this story, as the RIAA adjusted its calculation method for revenue figures in 2025, shifting from estimated retail value to wholesale value. This change means that the revenue numbers from 2024 and 2025 cannot be directly compared. Nevertheless, unit sales—unaffected by the calculation change—still tell a compelling story: 29.5 million CDs were sold in 2025, up from 12 million in 2024. This shows that despite the overall growth in CD sales, the genre was still in decline before this year's unexpected rebound.\n\nIn related news, vinyl records are also experiencing a significant uptick in popularity. Physical media revenue in the first half of 2026 rose by 25.9% to $731.5 million. This increase is attributed to the combined growth in CD and vinyl sales, with CD revenue up by 58.6% and vinyl revenue increasing by 17.7%.",
  "summary": "U.S. CD revenue jumped 58.6% in the first half of 2026, reversing last year’s decline as interest in retro tech and physical media continues to grow.",
  "key_points": [
    "CDs generate $171.1 million in revenue in first half of 2026",
    "58.6% increase from $107.9 million in same period last year",
    "Vinyl records revenue up 25.9% to $731.5 million in first half of 2026"
  ],
  "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."
}