CD sales are making an unexpected comeback amid a retro tech boom

The RIAA reports CD revenue reached $171.1 million in the first half of 2026, a 58.6% rise from the same period in 2025, with 17.5 million units sold—a 45.7% increase despite a full-year decline in 2025. Physical-media revenue grew 25.9% to $731.5 million, driven by the CD surge and a 17.7% rise in vinyl sales.