In a marketing move that has variously bemused and outraged observers, Triple M has mounted an Australian music countdown on Friday January 26th, the day vacated by triple j’s Hottest 100.
The Hottest 100 will now be held the following day, Saturday January 27.
But anyone wanting an Aussie soundtrack on Australia Day itself might choose Triple M’s countdown of classic Australian hits.
In an email to subscribers, Triple M said:
“So, the taxpayer funded FM has decided that there’ll be no soundtrack for Australia Day. Let’s face it, that’s usually full of hipsters or kids making music on a Mac. At Triple M, we’re going to give you what you’ve asked for. The perfect Australia Day soundtrack.”
Triple M Head of Content Mike Fitzpatrick has told radioinfo: “At Triple M we are avid supporters of Aussie music and like we do throughout the year and every Australia Day we will celebrate Aussie artists.”
The move has not been welcomed by some on social media, including Triple M’s own Wil Anderson, and J Award winning Indigenous rap group A B Original
triple j moved its countdown after surveying the attitudes of its listeners about the controversial issue of celebrating Australia Day on a date that some Indigenous people see as ‘invasion day.’
At the time triple j explained: ‘It’s fair to say there’s been increasing debate around 26 January and there are a lot of perspectives on what it means to different Australians. As the public broadcaster representing all Australians, triple j and the ABC doesn’t take a view in the discussions. However, in recent years the Hottest 100 has become a symbol in the debate about Australia Day. The Hottest 100 wasn’t created as an Australia Day celebration. It was created to celebrate your favourite songs of the past year. It should be an event that everyone can enjoy together…”
But the national youth station’s arguments did not convince everyone, with a range of pro-Triple M/anti-triple j comments being expressed on twitter.
We have retweeted a range of for and against comments on our radioinfo twitter account. Follow the social media debate via the twitter feed below.
Tweets about triplem OR ozzest100 OR triplej -triplejplays #ozzest100 near:”Australia” within:15mi since:2017-12-20
So if you don't agree don't listen. If you do agree listen or don't listen. The choice is yours. Until a date is suggested that is not offensive to anyone (completely unlikely) then be offended.