Music: revival of CDs in the United States, but not in Quebec

SET À DAY

The meteoric popularity of online listening platforms was about to sign its death warrant, but it seems that the good old compact disc has not yet breathed its last breath.

According to data from the music sales compilation firm Luminate, reported by Billboard magazine, CD sales in the United States are up – very slightly, but up nonetheless – 2.5% in 2023.

In the first ten weeks of the year, 6.9 million compact discs were sold in the country of Taylor Swift compared to 6.8 million copies for the same period of 2022.

Cheaper, more accessible

The reasons for this renewed interest? Its price, in the first place. For music lovers looking for a collectible, CDs are more affordable than vinyl because they cost less to produce.

Billboardcites a Creedence Clearwater Revival compilation as an example, which retails for US$13.99 on CD and US$28.31 on vinyl on Amazon.

“Its smaller format and shorter production times are also advantages over vinyl. Thus, artists who were going on tour opted for the CD at their merchandising kiosk because they were unable to have vinyl delivered on time”, mentions an industry player quoted by Billboard.