Sales of the once-dormant format jumped nearly 60 percent in the first half of 2026, thanks to collectible K-pop albums, growing demand from younger consumers, and a retro-tech boom.
Years after they went the way of 78 rpm records and eight-track tapes, compact discs are enjoying a revival.
CD sales in the United States surged 58.6 percent to $171.1 million during the first half of 2026, according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Unit sales increased 45.7 percent to 17.5 million discs.
The sharp gains helped boost recorded music revenue
The sharp gains helped boost recorded music revenue to nearly $6 billion for the first six months of the year, the RIAA reported, up 6.9 percent from a year earlier.
Streaming remains the industry’s dominant category by far, accounting for $4.9 billion, or roughly 82 percent of the recorded music market. But the unexpected jump in CD sales and the continued uptick in demand for vinyl LPs helped drive a 25.9 percent increase to $731.5 million in physical-media revenue.
Refreshed leadership advice from CEO Stephanie Mehta
An Inc.com Featured Presentation
“These results point to a healthy, diversified marketplace supporting continued investment in artists and new ways for audiences to experience music,” said Matt Bass, RIAA vice president of research.
This year’s CD boom belies the format’s fate
This year’s CD boom belies the format’s fate in 2025, when revenue fell 7.8 percent to $312.4 million from $338.9 million in 2024. Unit sales fell 11.6 percent for the year, from 33.3 million to 29.5 million.
Industry data suggests the CD resurgence extends beyond a single breakout release or artist, though one catalyst has been the popularity of collectible K-pop CDs that feature exclusive packaging, photo cards, and other tangible bonus items.
Source: www.inc.com
