RIAA Reports $6B Mid-Year Music Revenue

• The Recording Industry Association of America® (RIAA) announced that U.S. recorded music revenues for the first half of 2026 were up 6.9% from the first half of 2025, outpacing inflation, with growth across every major revenue category as streaming, physical formats and sync all posted gains. Accounting for 82% of total revenue at $4.9 billion, streaming remained the largest driver — powered by paid subscriptions. Double-digit growth in vinyl, CDs and sync licensing underscores the breadth of ways artists connect with fans in an increasingly varied and dynamic market. The entire report is available HERE.

Key Takeaways: 1) U.S. recorded music revenue reached $6B in the first half of 2026, up 6.9; 2) Streaming generated $4.9B, up 4.7%, and remained the largest source of recorded music revenue; 3) Paid subscriptions reached $3.4B, up 6.4%, continuing to power streaming growth; 4) Free streaming reached $900M, up 3.7%; 5) Physical revenues jumped 25.9%, powered by 17.7% vinyl growth and a 58.6% increase in CDs; 6) Sync licensing grew 18.2% to $232M.

“The power of music, amplified from earbuds to basement listening parties to World Cup playlists across the U.S., is reflected not only in its cultural significance but also in the $6 billion revenue documented in RIAA’s Mid-Year Recorded Music Revenue Report,” said Matt Bass, RIAA VP of Research. “These results point to a healthy, diversified marketplace supporting continued investment in artists and new ways for audiences to experience music.”

RIAA Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier remarked, “As U.S. 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.”