CD sales and player searches see significant resurgence

Compact discs are experiencing a resurgence in popularity despite the dominance of streaming services. According to retailer John Lewis, searches for CD players have increased by 96% since July. Additionally, reports on music and film trends indicate a 16% rise in CD sales this year.

This trend contributed to a nearly 7% increase in US music industry revenues during the first half of 2026, as reported by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Consumers cite various reasons for returning to physical media, including the desire for ownership, the availability of certain classical music releases exclusively on disc, and a reaction against the predictability of streaming algorithms.