More Data Points to a CD Revival — But Is It a Real Comeback, or a Sugar High?

Photo Credit: Mick Haupt
New RIAA figures released this morning are reigniting a familiar question: are CDs actually staging a comeback, or is the format riding a temporary sales bump?
According to the RIAA’s newly released H1 2026 mid-year report, U.S. recorded music revenue reached nearly $6 billion in the first half of the year, with physical formats a standout contributor. Physical revenue climbed 25.9% year-over-year to $731.5M. CDs posted a 58.6% year-over-year revenue jump to $171.1