US CD Sales Surge 45% in First Half of 2026, RIAA Report Shows
On September 6, 2026, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) released its first‑half 2026 recorded‑music revenue report, revealing a striking 45.7 % jump in U.S. compact disc (CD) volume to 17.5 million units and a 58.6 % rise in wholesale revenue to $171.1 million.
The data also chart growth across other physical formats. Vinyl sales climbed 20.9 % to 26.5 million units, generating $543.8 million in wholesale revenue—a 17.7 % increase. Other physical formats—CD‑R, SACD, cassettes and similar products—totalled 1.6 million units and $16.5 million in revenue, up 73.4 % and 44.9 % respectively.
Total physical‑format revenue for the first half of 2026 reached $731.5 million, a 25.9 % increase over the same period in 2025. In contrast, streaming revenue stood at $4.89 billion, accounting for roughly 82 % of overall U.S. recorded‑music revenue.
The RIAA’s methodology differs from consumer‑retail data providers such as Luminate. Luminate’s July 2026 report recorded 16.3 million CDs sold—a 16 % increase—reflecting retail sales that include a strong K‑pop influence. The RIAA counts wholesale transactions net of returns, aligning its reporting with international standards. The two sets of numbers therefore complement rather than directly compare each other.
K‑pop’s role in the CD rebound is significant but not exclusive. Luminate notes that CD sales would still have risen 6.7 % without K‑pop releases. The genre’s collectible releases—multiple editions, photo books, cards and limited packaging—drive repeat purchases in mass‑market retailers.
The wholesale price per CD in the first half of 2026 averages $9.78, compared with $20.52 per vinyl LP. The price gap reflects lower production costs and smaller retail price points, making CDs an attractive entry point for collectors and listeners who prefer a physical copy without the premium of vinyl.
The RIAA report clarifies that the 17.5 million CD figure represents new commercial product. Used‑CD transactions, which can occur on secondary marketplaces such as Discogs or eBay, do not generate wholesale revenue for labels and are therefore excluded.
Vinyl remains the dominant physical format, generating more than three times the revenue of CDs during the period. Luminate’s retail data, however, shows a 2.4 % increase in vinyl sales versus a 16 % increase in CD sales, underscoring the different measurement approaches.
The growth of physical formats alongside streaming suggests that consumers are not choosing one medium over the other. Streaming continues to dominate discovery and everyday listening, while physical releases satisfy a separate desire for ownership, collectibility and tangible connection to artists.
The RIAA’s mid‑year data also indicates that other physical formats collectively grew rapidly, but the small base of those formats limits the significance of the percentage increases.
Overall, the 2026 mid‑year report demonstrates that physical music sales—particularly CDs—have experienced a notable rebound. The resurgence is driven by a combination of K‑pop fan culture, the affordability of CDs relative to vinyl, and a broader industry trend of consumers valuing ownership alongside streaming access.
The next RIAA report, expected in December 2026, will provide a full‑year view of recorded‑music revenue and may clarify whether the CD surge continues into the second half of the year.
