CD Sales Surge 45.7% in First Half of 2026, RIAA Reports
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) reported a remarkable increase in CD sales in the U.S. during the first half of 2026, with 17.5 million units sold, a significant rise from 12 million in the same timeframe of 2025, representing a 45.7% boost in units and a 58.6% increase in revenue to $171.1 million. This surge is particularly impressive considering a 22% decline in sales from 2024 to 2025. Supporting this, Luminate's July report noted 16.3 million CDs sold in early 2026, attributing much of the growth to special editions from K-Pop groups like BTS. Additionally, vinyl records saw a nearly 21% increase to 26.5 million units, while other physical formats rose over 73% to 1.6 million. Despite this resurgence, streaming revenue grew by 4.7% to $4.9 billion, far surpassing all physical media combined.
Key facts
- CD sales in the US reached 17.5 million units in the first half of 2026, up from 12 million in the same period of 2025.
- CD sales increased by 45.7% in units and 58.6% in dollar value, reaching $171.1 million.
- CD sales had declined by 22% from 2024 to 2025 before this surge.
- Luminate reported 16.3 million CDs sold in the first half of 2026, attributing much of the increase to special editions from K-Pop acts like BTS.
- Only about half of CD buyers actually own a CD player, according to Luminate.
- Vinyl sales climbed by nearly 21% to 26.5 million units.
- Other physical media formats (CD singles, DVDs, cassettes, SACD, DVD-Audio) surged by over 73% to 1.6 million units.
- Streaming revenue grew by 4.7% to $4.9 billion, dwarfing all physical media combined.
Entities
Artists
- BTS
Institutions
- Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)
- Luminate