CD sales rise in the U.S. as collectors and K-pop fans buy physical albums

CD sales in the U.S. rose in the first half of 2026, reversing the long-running assumption that the format is only fading. Research firm Luminate said the increase was tied to collectors, affordability and a strong slate of K-pop releases.

According to Luminate’s 2026 midyear report, 16.3 million CDs were sold in the U.S. during the first six months of the year. That was a 16% increase from the same period in 2025, the firm said.

Luminate attributed the gain to several factors: fans building collections, CDs remaining accessible on price, BTS’ album “ARIRANG,” and a busy K-pop release calendar. The data suggests physical music still has a role for fans who want a tangible purchase connected to an artist, even as streaming remains central to listening.

The K-pop effect was a major part of the increase, but Luminate said CDs still grew without it. When K-pop sales were excluded from the data, U.S. CD sales were up 6.7% year over year.

That finding points to broader demand beyond one genre, although Luminate’s report identified K-pop as a key force behind the format’s stronger showing. The firm also said some buyers appear to treat CDs as collectible items rather than only as discs meant for playback.

What Luminate cited

• 16.3 million CDs sold in the U.S. in the first half of 2026.
• A 16% year-over-year increase in U.S. CD sales.
• A 6.7% increase when K-pop sales were removed from the count.
• Collection building, accessible pricing, BTS’ “ARIRANG” and K-pop releases as drivers of growth.

The figures come from Luminate’s midyear report, which tracks trends across music, television and film. The report frames CDs as part of a physical-media market where fans may buy albums for ownership, display or support as much as for everyday listening.

This story draws on original reporting from The Verge.