US CD sales surge as physical music revenue grows in first half of 2026

According to figures released by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), US recorded music revenue approached $6 billion in the first six months of 2026, while revenue from physical formats increased 25.9% year on year to $731.5 million.

CD revenue rose 58.6% to $171.1 million, with 17.5 million units sold, representing a 45.7% increase. Vinyl also recorded growth, generating $543.8 million in revenue, up 17.7%, from 26.5 million units, an increase of 20.9%.

The figures mark a notable change in the relative performance of the two formats. Vinyl has been the principal driver of the physical music market’s revival for much of the past two decades, but CD revenue and unit sales are currently growing at a faster rate.

Other industry data also points to increased demand for CDs. Citing Luminate’s mid-year figures, Hypebot reported that US CD sales increased by 16% in the first half of 2026 to 16.3 million units. The publication said the growth rate was several times higher than that of vinyl during the same period.

K-pop fandom has been identified as one factor behind the increase, with fans often purchasing multiple physical copies of releases. However, Hypebot reported, citing Luminate data, that CD sales continued to record high-single-digit growth after excluding the impact of K-pop buyers.

The resurgence is also being linked to younger consumers who grew up with streaming services. CDs are generally cheaper than new vinyl records, providing consumers with a relatively affordable way to own physical copies of music. The format has also gained an aesthetic appeal among some younger listeners, with commentators describing the practice of deliberately engaging with physical music formats as “performative audiophilia”.

The trend has coincided with renewed interest in CD players and other equipment among younger consumers, although it remains unclear whether this represents a lasting shift in listening habits or a broader interest in physical music and retro technology.

There are also reasons to be cautious about describing the current increase as a full-scale CD revival. Data from the RIAA for 2025 showed that annual CD revenue had declined to about $312 million, while vinyl revenue surpassed $1 billion. The longer-term performance therefore remains substantially stronger for vinyl.

The physical music market has also developed beyond listening, with vinyl increasingly functioning as a collectors' market through limited pressings, numbered editions and resale activity. Major physical music distributors have continued to invest heavily in vinyl-related products and collectibles, rather than shifting their strategies towards CDs.

The contrasting trends have raised questions about what is driving the latest increase in CD sales. Younger consumers' purchasing power, K-pop's physical sales culture and interest in retro formats could all be contributing to the growth, while lower CD prices may also be making the format more attractive at a time of economic uncertainty.

Whether the increase represents a sustained change in consumer behaviour will become clearer when full-year 2026 figures are released. For now, the data indicates that CDs are experiencing a significant increase in sales, but it does not yet establish that the format has overtaken vinyl as the leading force behind the revival of physical music.