The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) reported in its H1 2026 report that US recorded music revenue reached $5.97 billion in the first half of 2026, a 6.9% increase from the same period last year. Gains in paid streaming, vinyl, CD and sync revenue drove the growth.
Streaming and digital revenue
Subscription streaming revenue rose 7.8% year over year to $3.11 billion, with identified subscribers up 5.5% to 111.1 million. Paid non-Premium streaming contributed $239.1 million, down 9% year over year, while free streaming revenue increased 3.7% to $899.6 million.
Permanent download revenue fell 12.7% year over year to $121 million.
Physical formats climb
Total physical revenue climbed 25.9% year over year to $731.5 million. The category included:
- Vinyl: $543.8 million in revenue, up 17.7% year over year, with 26.5 million units sold in the US, up 20.9%.
- CDs: $171.1 million in revenue, up 58.6%, with 17.5 million units sold, up 45.7%.
- Other physical, including cassettes: $16.5 million in revenue, up 44.9%, with 1.6 million units sold, up 73.4%.
Sync and executive comment
Sync revenue grew 18.2% year over year to $231.8 million.
Mitch Glazier, RIAA Chairman and CEO, said:
“As US music revenues continue to grow across formats, labels are strengthening connections between artists, fans and the platforms delivering creative work. That partnership is driving engagement in new and expanding ways to create opportunities that will lift up the entire music community for years to come.”
