RIAA: $3.1B Streaming Revenue H1 2026
US recorded music revenues grew 6.9% to $5.97 billion in H1 2026. Premium subscription streaming, up 7.8% to $3.11 billion, was the largest contributor.
US recorded music wholesale revenues grew 6.9% year-over-year in the first half of 2026, reaching $5.97 billion, according to mid-year figures released by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on September 1.
Streaming remains the dominant force. It generated $4.9 billion, a 4.7% increase. Paid subscriptions accounted for $3.4 billion of that total. The RIAA breaks paid subscriptions into two distinct categories: premium and non-premium.
Premium Subscriptions Drive Growth
Premium subscriptions, which offer unlimited, on-demand access through services like Spotify and Apple Music, generated $3.11 billion for rightsholders. This represents a 7.8% year-over-year increase. The number of premium subscription accounts in the US also grew, rising 5.5% to 111.1 million. The RIAA counts a family plan as a single account.
Price hikes from several major platforms contributed to the revenue growth. Spotify, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music Unlimited all raised their subscription prices during the period.
Non-Premium and Free Streaming Trends
In contrast, revenue from non-premium subscriptions fell. This category includes music bundled with other services, like fitness apps, where music is not the primary offering. Revenue declined 9% year-over-year to $239.1 million.
Free, ad-supported streaming services generated $900 million. This category, which includes ad-supported tiers of Spotify and YouTube as well as social media platforms, saw a 3.7% increase.
Physical Formats See Strong Rebound
Physical music revenues surged 25.9% year-over-year. This growth was powered by a 17.7% increase in vinyl revenue and a remarkable 58.6% jump in CD sales.
| Format | H1 2026 Revenue Growth (YoY) |
|---|---|
| Vinyl | +17.7% |
| CD | +58.6% |
| Total Physical | +25.9% |
RIAA executives highlighted the industry's health. "The power of music... 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 RIAA VP of Research Matt Bass. He stated these results point to a healthy, diversified marketplace.
RIAA Chairman and CEO Mitch Glazier emphasized the role of partnerships. "As US music revenues continue to grow across formats, labels are strengthening connections between artists, fans and the platforms delivering creative work," he said. Glazier believes this partnership is driving engagement and creating opportunities for the music community.
The report's revenue categories provide clear definitions. Premium subscriptions cover unlimited, on-demand services. Non-premium includes limited or bundled offerings. Free streaming encompasses ad-supported audio, video, and social media platforms. Physical revenue is broken into vinyl, CD, and other formats like cassettes. Synchronization revenue comes from licensing for TV, film, and games.
