US CD Sales Surge 45.7% as Retro Tech Revival Accelerates
US CD revenue jumped 58.6% to $171.1 million in early 2026 as 17.5 million discs sold, fueling a physical media revival alongside strong vinyl growth.
Summary
The Recording Industry Association of America says CDs generated $171.1 million in the first half of 2026, up 58.6% from roughly $107.9 million a year earlier. Sales rose 45.7% to 17.5 million units from about 12 million. The rebound reverses 2025, when unit sales fell 11.6% to 29.5 million from 33.3 million in 2024. Reported revenue declined 7.8%, from $338.9 million to $312.4 million, although the RIAA switched from estimated retail value to wholesale value in 2025, making those revenue figures incomparable.
Physical media revenue rose 25.9% to $731.5 million in the first half of 2026, also helped by 17.7% vinyl revenue growth. Gen Z interest in CDs, vinyl, dumbphones, digital cameras, typewriters and landlines reflects demand for greater control and fewer notifications, addictive apps and algorithms. Tin Can, Ooma and Pinwheel sell landline products, while Light, Dumb Co and Minimal offer non smartphones, and the BlackBerry style Clicks is nearing launch. Consumers also find vintage devices through eBay, Retrospekt and thrift stores. Used and inherited CDs are excluded from RIAA data, so total demand may be larger.
Positives
- CD revenue rose 58.6% to $171.1 million in the first half of 2026.
- CD unit sales climbed 45.7% to 17.5 million from about 12 million.
- Physical media revenue increased 25.9% to $731.5 million in the first half of 2026.
- Vinyl revenue grew 17.7%, broadening the physical music revival.
- Tin Can, Ooma, Pinwheel, Light, Dumb Co, Minimal and Clicks are addressing renewed demand for simpler devices.
Risks & concerns
- CD sales fell 11.6% during 2025, dropping to 29.5 million units from 33.3 million in 2024.
- Reported CD revenue declined 7.8% in 2025, from $338.9 million to $312.4 million.
- The RIAA's 2025 switch from estimated retail to wholesale value prevents direct revenue comparisons with 2024.
- The rebound covers only the first half of 2026, following a full year of declining unit sales.
- RIAA figures exclude used and inherited CDs, leaving total consumption unmeasured.
