According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), CD sales saw a significant increase in the first half of 2026. The organization reported that 17.5 million CDs were sold during this period, marking a 45.7 percent rise compared to the same time in 2025. This growth translates to a 58.6 percent increase in revenue, reaching $171.1 million. Notably, CD sales had declined by 22 percent from 2024 to 2025, making the recent surge even more remarkable.

The RIAA is not the only entity to observe this trend. In July, research firm Luminate released a report indicating that 16.3 million units were sold in the first half of 2026. The report attributed much of this growth to special editions from K-Pop acts like BTS. It also noted that Gen Z and millennials are largely treating these CDs as collectibles, with only about half of buyers owning a CD player.

Vinyl also experienced a resurgence, with sales climbing nearly 21 percent from the previous year to reach 26.5 million units. Additionally, 'other physical' media, which includes CD singles, DVDs, cassettes, SACD, and DVD-Audio, saw a surge of over 73 percent, reaching 1.6 million units. This category encompasses a wide range of formats beyond standard vinyl and CD albums.

Despite the growing interest in physical media and the ongoing iPod revival, people are not abandoning streaming. Streaming revenue grew by 4.7 percent to $4.9 billion, which is significantly higher than the combined revenue from all physical media formats. This suggests that while physical media is experiencing a revival, it is not replacing streaming as the primary method of music consumption.

The resurgence of physical media appears to be driven by a combination of factors, including the appeal of collectible editions and the nostalgia factor. However, the data from the RIAA and Luminate indicates that the majority of buyers are not using CDs as a primary listening format. Instead, they are purchasing them for their collectible value or as a way to support their favorite artists. This trend highlights a shift in consumer behavior, where physical media is being embraced for its cultural and sentimental significance rather than its practical use as a music format.