Luminate is expanding its product categories to track Smart Media Albums in the U.S. and Canada, marking the first time we’re adding a new physical music format since CDs.
Beginning October 2, Smart Media Album Sales will be available in CONNECT, API and Data Share, and categorized alongside cassette tapes, vinyl, CDs, DVDs and other forms of physical products. Eligible album sales will also count toward official Billboard chart rankings, and you can read more details on how that will work here.
What is a Smart Media Album?
An emerging format, Smart Media Albums combine physical products with digital experiences. They are physical items that use technologies like QR codes or near-field communication (NFC) chips to direct fans to a dedicated app or website to listen to music.
They are purchased as physical products that can then be activated to unlock access to an album and a dedicated digital music experience.
Examples of Smart Media manufacturers include Totem, ZATAP, KiTbetter, Serenade, IYK, Yoto and Weverse.
A Format Driven by Superfans
The Smart Media format initially gained widespread popularity in Asia, especially within K-pop fan culture, as a new avenue for superfans to purchase physical audio products and express their fandom. It is now expanding around the world and starting to catch on in the U.S. as more fans turn to physical forms of media.
This trend is reflected in our 2026 Midyear Report, which found that CD purchases were up in the first half of the year, with 16.3 million sold (a 16 percent YoY increase). This growth was driven by collection building, price accessibility, massive albums such as BTS’ ARIRANG and a strong K-pop release schedule.
Even when you remove the K-pop-specific data, CD sales still grew by 6.7%, which is noteworthy given that roughly half of Gen Z and millennials buying CDs don’t actually own a CD player.
Looking Ahead
At Luminate, our goal is to accurately capture how fans engage with music globally. In recent years, as streaming has become the primary way to listen to music, vinyl, CDs and even cassette tapes have emerged as physical representations of fandom. Tracking Smart Media Album Sales allows us to account for the new ways consumers are connecting with music.
As engagement continues to evolve, we’ll continue to adapt – ensuring the global music industry has the most complete picture of how fans discover, purchase and interact with the songs and artists they love.
If you’d like to learn more about Luminate and CONNECT, contact us here.
