US recorded music revenue hits $6 billion in H1 2026

U.S. recorded music revenues reached approximately $6 billion in the first half of 2026, representing a 6.9% increase compared to the same period in 2025. According to reports from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), this growth outpaced inflation and was driven by gains across all major revenue categories.

Streaming remains the dominant sector, accounting for $4.9 billion, or roughly 82% of total revenue. Paid subscriptions specifically generated between $3.11 billion and $3.4 billion, supported by an increase in the number of identified subscribers. While free streaming and other streaming sources saw modest changes, the subscription model continues to power the industry.

Physical music formats saw a significant surge, with total physical revenues jumping 25.9% to $731.5 million. This growth was fueled by a 17.7% increase in vinyl sales and a 58.6% rise in CD revenue. Additionally, sync licensing—the use of music in film, television, and advertising—grew by 18.2% to $232 million. Conversely, permanent downloads continued to decline, falling 12.7% year-over-year.