Vinyl may have had the comeback story, but in 2026 CDs are the ones growing fastest. According to the RIAA's mid-year report, US CD revenue rose 58.6% year on year in the first half of 2026 to about $171 million, up from roughly $108 million a year earlier.
Vinyl remains the biggest physical format — around $554 million in the same period, up 17.7% — yet overall physical-media revenue climbed 25.9% to about $731.5 million, according to industry tallies. Luminate data cited by Hypebot put CD unit sales at 16.3 million in the first half of 2026, up 16%.
Retailers and experts point to price: new vinyl pressings often sell for £25–30 while CDs go for a few pounds, a big draw for younger buyers priced out of the vinyl boom. Tech journalists describe consumers choosing a £150 all-in-one CD system over an expensive turntable setup. For Gen Z, the appeal is also cultural — deliberately picking one album and listening from start to finish offers a contrast to infinite algorithmic streams.
None of this means streaming is dying; the RIAA says overall recorded-music revenue still grew, led by streaming. Physical media has simply found a second life as a premium, intentional format.
