GoKawiilRIAA data shows CD and vinyl revenue up sharply in first half of 2026
The RIAA reported that US recorded music revenue rose 6.9% in H1 2026 versus H1 2025, with physical formats up 25.9%—vinyl grew 17.7% and CDs jumped 58.6%. Streaming still dominates overall revenue at $4.9 billion, but the outsized physical growth stands out amid rising anger over digital ownership issues.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Consumers increasingly distrust digital purchases after incidents like Sony pulling hundreds of titles from PlayStation Store libraries, exposing that many digital 'purchases' are really revocable licenses. This is fueling a return to tangible media that buyers can permanently own, challenging assumptions that physical formats were headed for extinction.
- Physical media revenue grew 25.9% in H1 2026, far outpacing streaming's 4.7% growth.
- CD revenue surged 58.6%, while vinyl grew 17.7% year-over-year.
- Distrust in digital ownership, highlighted by Sony's removal of content from customer libraries, is driving the shift back to physical formats.
Audio-Technica AT-LP60X Turntable — If the vinyl revival has you eyeing the record bins again, the AT-LP60X is a classic entry point: a fully automatic belt-drive turntable with a built-in phono preamp so it plugs straight into powered speakers or a receiver. It's an easy way to actually own your music instead of renting it from a streaming app.
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: techspot.com — Rob Thubron, 2026-09-07
Published there as: “CD and vinyl sales are surging as frustration with digital media keeps growing”
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