Is the CD Really Dead? My Response to the Latest Media Hype
Yet another article claiming that the CD format is dead. This time, it’s from The Guardian, which suggests that cars—once the final haven for CDs—have abandoned the format. The article paints a bleak picture, but I’m here to debunk that narrative. While CD sales may have dipped since their peak in 2000, the format is far from obsolete, generating billions in revenue and continuing to thrive among music fans across all age groups.
Take a look at recent UK album charts: albums from Shed Seven, David Gilmour, and even younger artists like Sabrina Carpenter are selling thousands of CDs. Sabrina alone sold over 32,000 CDs to top the charts. That’s proof that people are still buying and enjoying CDs—at home, not just in their cars.
While it’s true that new cars no longer come with CD players, this doesn’t mean people aren’t listening. Many music lovers—myself included—use a combination of physical and digital formats, streaming on the go and enjoying their physical collections at home on high-quality audio systems. And let’s not forget: more CD players and transports are being manufactured than in recent years, signaling a resurgence in interest.
The claim that CDs are dead is sensationalist and misinformed. CDs, vinyl, and other physical formats are not competing with one another; they coexist for fans who value the tangible connection to music. The music industry has evolved, but physical formats remain an essential part of that experience for millions.
The CD is not dead—far from it. Music fans continue to celebrate physical media, and this passion isn’t fading anytime soon. So let’s put the “CD is dead” narrative to rest and keep enjoying the music however we choose.
CDs, vinyl, and streaming all serve a purpose, and as long as music brings us joy, physical formats will remain a vital part of the landscape.
Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine
