# Global and US recorded music market trends

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/global-and-us-recorded-music-market-trends
> Updated: 2026-09-01T14:28:50.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2.

In the first half of 2026, the recorded music industry showed significant growth, particularly in the United States and through major rights holders like BMG.

BMG reported a 4.9% year-over-year revenue increase to approximately $515 million, driven by high single-digit growth in recorded music streaming subscriptions and rights and licenses. The company also achieved its highest first-half investment in music rights to date, following a period of significant catalog acquisitions.

On a broader scale, U.S. recorded music revenues reached approximately $6 billion in the same period, a 6.9% increase from 2025. Streaming remains the primary driver, accounting for roughly 82% of total revenue. While permanent downloads declined, physical music formats experienced a surge, with vinyl sales increasing by 17.7% and CD revenue rising by 58.6%. Additionally, sync licensing saw an 18.2% increase.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-01: US recorded music revenue hits $6 billion in H1 2026

U.S. recorded music revenue grew 6.9% to $6 billion in the first half of 2026, driven by streaming subscriptions and a 25.9% surge in physical formats like vinyl and CDs.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-recorded-music-revenue-hits-6-billion-in-h1-2026

### 2026-08-28: BMG reports $515M H1 2026 revenue amid record music rights investments

BMG reported $515 million in H1 2026 revenue, a nearly 5% increase driven by music streaming. The company also achieved record first-half investments in music rights catalogs.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bmg-reports-515m-h1-2026-revenue-amid-record-music-rights-investments

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Cite as: Global and US recorded music market trends. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/global-and-us-recorded-music-market-trends