US CD Sales Rise 16% in Early 2026, Driven by K-Pop and Fan Support

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CD sales in the United States surged 16 percent year-over-year in the first half of 2026, with 16.3 million units sold, according to research firm Luminate. The growth was attributed to collection building, affordable pricing, and a strong K-pop release schedule, including BTS's album ARIRANG. Even excluding K-pop purchases, CD sales still grew by 6.7 percent, suggesting broader mainstream interest in the format. Some buyers appear to be purchasing CDs not to listen to them, but as a way to financially support their favorite artists.

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