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The rise and fall (and comeback?) of compact discs
The CD was officially introduced to the public in 1982, with early releases in Japan, followed by the U.S. in 1983—an event often described as the "Big Bang" of the digital audio revolution.
History has a way of repeating itself and, in the music industry, that means compact discs are once again making their way into the homes of a newer generation.
CD sales showed short-term growth
By the numbers:
According to Billboard, 65 albums sold at least 50,000 copies on CD in 2023, up from 56 titles in 2022.
The outlet also reported that CD album sales reached 36.83 million units in 2023, a 2.7% increase from 35.87 million in 2022, ranking CDs as the second-most popular album format.
But sales are starting to slide again.
According to the Guardian, CD sales reached their high point in 2004, when 162 million units were sold, a year dominated by releases from the Scissor Sisters and Robbie Williams’ Greatest Hits. Sales have since fallen sharply, dropping to just 10.5 million in 2024, based on figures from the British Phonographic Industry, which is expected to release its 2025 data soon.
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What they're saying:
"In the last 12 months, gen Z have actually bought more CDs than millennials, gen X and baby boomers," Neil Gibbons, the chief operating officer of Key Production Group, which manufactures vinyl, CDs and cassettes, told the Guardian. "These purchases are done mainly online or in-store, such as record shops and high street stores, demonstrating that they are actively seeking these formats out."
For younger generations, the reason for buying physical media isn't all that in-depth.
"I think mostly for Gen Z it's an aesthetic thing," Donald Nde Jr., a 22-year-old based in Minnesota, told Axios in 2024.
Just when CDs seemed destined for the bargain bin, some say a new generation is about to give them a second act.
"You know what, hang on to them, because I guarantee you, these generation, this Gen Z and the Millennials and Gen Alpha coming up behind them, is suddenly gonna think they're super cool again, so I want you to store it next to your point-and-shoot camera, because it's gonna be worth something one day," Steve Noviello, consumer reporter at FOX 4 Dallas, told FOX Television Stations.
History of the compact disc
The backstory:
In 1976, Philips and Sony jointly developed the compact disc (CD), an optical medium designed to store and play back digital audio, according to the History of Information.
The first test CDs were pressed in Germany in 1981, and commercial production began in 1982, marking the transition from analog to digital audio formats.
The CD was officially introduced to the public in 1982, with early releases in Japan, followed by the United States and other markets in 1983—an event often described as the "Big Bang" of the digital audio revolution.
By 2007, approximately 200 billion CDs had been sold worldwide, with the best-selling CD being the Beatles’ "1," released in 2000.
The Source: The information in this story comes from a mix of music industry data and historical sources. This story was reported from Los Angeles.