CD Sales Surge as Physical Media Rebounds
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New RIAA data reveals a sharp increase in compact disc revenue and unit sales during the first half of 2026.
Compact discs are experiencing a significant market resurgence, according to data from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) reported by TechCrunch. In the first half of 2026, CDs generated $171.1 million in revenue, representing a 58.6% increase over the $107.9 million earned during the same period in 2025.
Unit sales mirrored this growth, with 17.5 million CDs sold in the first half of 2026, up 45.7% from the 12 million units sold in the first half of 2025. This rebound follows a decline in 2025, where full-year unit sales dropped 11.6% to 29.5 million from 33.3 million in 2024, and revenue fell 7.8% to $312.4 million from $338.9 million. TechCrunch notes that the RIAA modified its revenue calculation method in 2025, moving from estimated retail value to wholesale value, which affects the comparability of 2024 and 2025 dollar figures.
The growth in CDs is part of a broader trend toward physical media and "retro tech." TechCrunch reports that total physical media revenue rose 25.9% to $731.5 million in the first half of 2026, bolstered by a 17.7% increase in vinyl revenue alongside the CD spike.
This shift is driven largely by Gen Z consumers seeking more control over their technology use and a reprieve from algorithms and notifications. Beyond music, this trend includes a demand for "dumbphones" from companies such as Light, Dumb Co, Minimal, and the upcoming Clicks, as well as landline hardware from Ooma, Pinwheel, and Tin Can. Consumers are also sourcing vintage hardware via Retrospekt, eBay, and thrift stores. TechCrunch highlights that RIAA figures may undercount the trend, as they exclude used sales and inherited discs.