GoKawiil
Tech News
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%.
Apple has again raised subscription prices, with Apple TV climbing from $13 to $15 per month and its annual plan jumping 20 percent from $99 to $119. The individual Apple One bundle, which includes Apple TV, Music, Arcade, Fitness+, News+ and iCloud+, rose from $20 to $22 monthly. Existing subscribers get one month's notice before the new rates take effect.
An economics writer recounts owning roughly 4,000 CDs, once worth about $40,000, that are now nearly worthless due to music streaming. Rather than framing himself as a victim of disruption, he argues that free access to vast catalogs of new and old music has given him far more value than he lost, turning an apparent loss into a net gain.
The Australian Recording Industry Association has updated its Charts Code of Practice to exclude music that is wholly AI-generated from national chart eligibility, effective with the chart dated August 31. Songs made with AI assistance can still qualify, but only if the recording is substantially human-made, with humans writing the song and performing lead vocals and primary instruments using authorized tools.