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Not So Fast, Vinyl: Another Physical Media Format Is on the Rise in 2026

A new report shows that CDs have made some of the biggest gains in physical media sales, even beating vinyl in the first half of 2026.

By Stephen Andrew Galiher

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Quick, which music-based physical media do you think had the biggest comeback in 2026? You’d be forgiven for choosing anything but CDs. And yet, here we are.

According to a new mid-year report from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), CD revenue had surged. It jumped 58.6% in the United States during the first half of 202, reaching $171 million. This is up significantly from the same period in 2025, when it was about $108 million.

Now, there’s no denying that vinyl is still the biggest money-maker overall. For comparison, vinyl generated $554 million across the first six months of 2026. However, vinyl’s........

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