GoKawiilRIAA: US vinyl and CD sales surge alongside record streaming revenue in H1 2026
The RIAA reported that US recorded music revenue hit $6 billion in the first half of 2026, a 6.9% increase over the prior year. Physical formats led the growth, with CD sales jumping 58.6% and vinyl climbing 17.7%, while streaming still dominated overall revenue at $4.9 billion, up 4.7%.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The data shows physical media isn't cannibalizing streaming but growing alongside it, suggesting consumers want more ways to own and experience music rather than abandoning digital platforms outright. This mirrors tensions seen in video streaming, where rising subscription costs and shifting catalogs have pushed some consumers toward alternative or ownership-based options.
- US recorded music revenue reached $6B in H1 2026, up 6.9% year-over-year
- CD sales grew 58.6% and vinyl grew 17.7%, driving a 25.9% jump in physical revenue
- Streaming remains the largest revenue source at $4.9B, with paid subscriptions up 6.4%
Audio-Technica AT-LP60X Turntable — With vinyl sales climbing again, the AT-LP60X is an easy entry point back into spinning records at home. It's a fully automatic belt-drive turntable with a built-in phono preamp, so you can plug it straight into powered speakers or a receiver and start playing your collection.
See Audio-Technica AT-LP60X Turntable on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: tomshardware.com — Mark Tyson, 2026-09-06
Published there as: “Sales of CD and vinyl music sees strong resurgence amid physical media backlash — US sales of ‘retro media’ were up 59% and 18%, respectively, in H1 2026”
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