Terrence O' Brien is the Verge’s weekend editor. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), CD sales exploded in the first half of 2026. 5 million CDs were sold in the first six months of the year, up from just 12 million during the same period in 2025.

1 million. The RIAA isn’t the only one to notice the boom in CD sales. 3 million units were sold in the first half of 2026.

5 million. Despite the increased interest in physical media and the ongoing iPod revival, people are not leaving streaming in droves.