Triple J#Branding

File:Gough Whitlam at the Lodge 1974.jpg (1974), under whose government Triple J was established]]

The launch of a new, youth-focused radio station was a product of the progressive media policies of the Whitlam government of 1972–75.{{cite web|title=About triple j|url=http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/about/about.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080112165334/http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/about/about.htm|archive-date=12 January 2008|access-date=2 February 2008|work=triple j|publisher=abc.net.au}} Prime minister Gough Whitlam wanted to set the station up to appeal to the youth vote, and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), worried about its declining audience, "wanted a station for young people who would grow up to be ABC listeners."{{cite news|last=Austin|first=Gayle|date=12 January 2005|title=Off the dial|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/TV--Radio/Off-the-dial/2005/01/11/1105423476299.html?oneclick=true|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240321034040/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/off-the-dial-20050112-gdkh1o.html|archive-date=21 March 2024|access-date=12 April 2014|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald}} A new station was also a recommendation stemming from the McLean Report of 1974, which suggested expanding radio broadcasting onto the FM band, issuing a new class of broadcasting licence which permitted the establishment of community radio stations, and the creation of two new stations for the ABC: 2JJ in Sydney, referred to as Double Jay Rock{{Efn||name=originalname|group=lower-alpha}}{{Cite web|date=21 October 2014|title=Remembering Gough Whitlam: the man who gave Double J life|url=https://www.abc.net.au/listen/doublej/music-reads/music-news/remembering-gough-whitlam-the-man-who-gave-double-j-life/10272678|access-date=22 June 2024|website=Double J|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|language=en-AU}}{{Cite news |last=Griffiths |first=Neil |date=17 January 2025 |title=Triple J Heading Back to 1975 to Celebrate 50th Anniversary this Weekend |url=https://tonedeaf.thebrag.com/triple-j-celebrates-50th-anniversary/ |access-date=7 April 2025 |work=Tone Deaf}} and the short-lived 3ZZ in Melbourne.{{cite web|date=11 March 2009|title=Bob Hope-Hume, A History of Community Radio|url=http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Hills/4018/morehist.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091020162112/http://geocities.com/Hollywood/Hills/4018/morehist.html|archive-date=20 October 2009|access-date=16 August 2018|website=webcitation.org}}

Double Jay was intended to be the first link in Whitlam's planned national youth network, however, his administration was not re-elected in the 1975 federal election. The succeeding Fraser government's budget cuts to the ABC also halted this plan from moving forward.{{cite web|title=The Almanac: 1975|url=http://www.milesago.com/Almanac/1975.htm|access-date=3 February 2008|publisher=MILESAGO}}{{cite web|last=Levin|first=Darren|date=9 April 2014|title=12 things you should know about Double J|url=http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/features/39015/12-things-you-should-know-about-Double-J|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413112033/http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/features/39015/12-things-you-should-know-about-Double-J|archive-date=13 April 2014|access-date=12 April 2014|work=Faster Louder|publisher=Faster Louder Pty Ltd}} By the time 2JJ went to air, the Whitlam government was in its final months of office, and presenters on the station were frequently accused of left-wing bias in the months that followed.{{Cite news|last=Griffen-Foley|first=Bridget|date=23 March 2015|title=From murky beginnings, Fraser became a friend of diverse media|url=https://theconversation.com/from-murky-beginnings-fraser-became-a-friend-of-diverse-media-39179|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815053054/https://theconversation.com/from-murky-beginnings-fraser-became-a-friend-of-diverse-media-39179|archive-date=15 August 2023|access-date=15 August 2023|work=The Conversation}}

Double Jay commenced broadcasting at 11:00 am on Sunday, 19 January 1975, at 1540 kHz on the AM band.{{cite journal|url=http://wwwmcc.murdoch.edu.au/ReadingRoom/6.1/Dawson.html|title=JJJ:radical radio?|last=Dawson|first=Jonathan|journal=Continuum: The Australian Journal of Media & Culture|volume=6|issue=1|year=1992|access-date=9 March 2009|archive-date=5 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905011150/http://wwwmcc.murdoch.edu.au/ReadingRoom/6.1/Dawson.html|url-status=dead}} The station was restricted largely to the Greater Sydney region, and its local reception was hampered by inadequate transmitter facilities. However, its frequency was a clear channel nationally, so it was easily heard at night throughout south-eastern Australia. After midnight, 2JJ would use off-air ABC networks to increase its broadcasting range.{{cite web|url=http://www.radioheritage.net/Story90.asp|title=Radio Power Plays 1975–81 Melbourne, Sydney & Wellington|publisher=Radio Heritage Foundation|access-date=4 February 2008|first=David|last=Ricquish}}

{{external media

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| audio1 = [https://abcmedia.akamaized.net/triplej/jfiles_podcast/2015_02_06_40years_1975.mp3?source=web&content_id=10274876 1975-1985: 40 Years of Triple J], from [https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/the-j-files/1975-1985-40-years-of-triple-j/10274876 ABC Listen], Part one of an audio documentary series on Triple J's history.

| video1 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G55rb-Gg6vE Double J: 1975], YouTube video featuring behind-the-scenes content from the 2JJ studio.

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Its first broadcast demonstrated a determination to distinguish itself from other Australian radio stations. The first on-air presenter, DJ Holger Brockmann, notably used his own name, which, at his previous role at 2SM, was considered "too foreign-sounding". After an introductory montage that featured sounds from the countdown and launch of Apollo 11, Brockmann launched the station's first broadcast with the words, "Wow, and we're away!", and then played Skyhooks' "You Just Like Me 'Cos I'm Good in Bed".{{Cite news|last=Marius|first=Webb|date=10 January 2015|title=Triple J's 40th birthday: High times with the department of youth|url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/triple-js-40th-birthday-high-times-with-the-department-of-youth-20150108-12k5m4.html|access-date=12 January 2015|work=The Sydney Morning Herald}} The choice of this song to introduce the station was significant, as it represented several important features of the 2JJ brand at the time. Choosing an Australian band reflected the network's commitment to Australian content at a time when American acts dominated pop stations. Further, the song was one of several tracks from the Skyhooks' album that had been banned on commercial radio for its explicit sexual content.{{Cite book|last=Giuffre|first=Liz|date=|title=Gough Whitlam, Double J and the youth radio revolution|url=https://www.academia.edu/28251373|access-date=}}{{cite web|date=18 June 2005|title=Warwick McFadyen, "Strike Up The Banned", The Age, 18 June 2005|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/Music/Strike-up-the-banned/2005/06/17/1118869080230.html|access-date=28 October 2009|publisher=Theage.com.au}} The station chose to play songs that were banned from commercial airwaves, including the Rolling Stones' "Sympathy for the Devil". Because 2JJ was a government-funded station operating under the umbrella of the ABC, it was not bound by commercial censorship codes, and was not answerable to advertisers nor the station owners. In contrast, their Sydney rival, 2SM, was owned by a holding company controlled by the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney, resulting in the ban or editing of numerous songs.{{Cite web|last=Coleman|first=Brian|date=15 December 2022|title=Radio Days: The Ian Macrae Tapes|url=https://www.cxnetwork.com.au/radio-days-the-ian-macrae-tapes/|access-date=18 November 2024|website=CX Network}}{{Cite web|date=2002|title=2SM|url=http://www.milesago.com/radio/2sm.htm|access-date=18 November 2024|website=Milesago}}

The internal politics of 2JJ were considered a radical departure from the formats of commercial stations. 2JJ's presenters had almost total freedom in their on-air delivery, and all staff participated in major policy decisions. For example, as former announcer Gayle Austin reflected: "In early March, women took over the station as announcers to celebrate International Women's Day", and "The listeners owned the station... and if they wanted to come to the meetings and join the debate, they were welcome".

In its early years 2JJ's on-air staff were mainly recruited from either commercial radio or other ABC stations. In another first for the industry, their roster also featured presenters who did not come from a radio background, including singer-songwriters Bob Hudson{{cite web|title=Classic Cafe |url=http://www.2st.com.au/shows/the-classic-cafe/65652-bob-hudson-the-newcastle-song|work=2ST|publisher=Grant Broadcasters radio network|access-date=12 April 2014|year=2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413141553/http://www.2st.com.au/shows/the-classic-cafe/65652-bob-hudson-the-newcastle-song|archive-date=13 April 2014}} and John J. Francis,{{cite web|year=2014|title=John J Francis |url=http://www.reverbnation.com/artist_2449363/bio|access-date=12 April 2014|work=John J Francis on ReverbNation|publisher=eMinor, Inc}} and actor Lex Marinos.{{cite web|title=Lex Marinos|url=http://www.abc.net.au/profiles/content/s3358160.htm|work=ABC|access-date=12 April 2014|date=7 November 2011}} Other notable foundation staff and presenters in January 1975 were Chris Winter, Marius Webb, Ron Moss, Arnold Frolows, Mark Colvin, Jim Middleton, Don Cumming, and Mac Cocker.Bruce Elder & David Wales, Radio With Pictures! The History of Double Jay AM and JJJ FM (Hale & Ironmonger, 1984), pp.6–7 Alan McGirvan was the breakfast announcer. Early staff also included Ted Robinson, Chris Winter, and Jim Middleton. Marius Webb and Ron Moss were the station coordinators, while Ros Cheney was progamme coordinator, and they established the workplace as kind of collective. Producer and programmer Sammy Collins later said of Cheney that she was "more political and more dedicated than the men", and it was her presence which enabled female representation at every level. Double Jay was the first Australian music radio station to allow women DJs; one of these was Gayle Austin.{{cite web | last=Creswell | first=Toby | title=Sex, drugs and a lot more than rock'n'roll: 50 years of Triple J, Australia's youth radio station | website=The Guardian | date=18 January 2025 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/jan/19/sex-drugs-and-a-lot-more-than-rocknroll-50-years-of-triple-j-australias-youth-radio-station | access-date=4 February 2025}}

Before the launch of Double Jay in Sydney, Melbourne was the undisputed capital of music; the new station shone the light on musicians from Sydney musicians, and publicised gigs happening in the city. The station played artists such as Midnight Oil, Radio Birdman, INXS, Mental As Anything, and AC/DC long before they had exposure on any other media.

The station rapidly gained popularity, especially with its target youth demographic: media articles noted that in its first two months on air, 2JJ reached a 5.4% share of the total radio audience, with 17% in the 18–24 age group, while the audience share of rival 2SM dropped by 2.3%.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/30years/gallery/2jj_1975.pdf|title=30 Years of triple j|website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=28 October 2009|archive-date=20 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090320131753/http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/30years/gallery/2jj_1975.pdf|url-status=dead}} Despite the poor quality of reception caused by the Sydney transmitter, the station still saw rapid growth.Dawson, 1995, op.cit. Austin explained that station staff threatened industrial action in July 1975 due to the transmitter issues, but officials of the BCB still refused to meet with 2JJ representatives. A new transmitter was not provided until 1980, following the transition to the FM band.

After the station hosted an open-air concert in Liverpool, New South Wales, in May 1975 featuring Skyhooks and Dragon,{{Cite web|date=12 January 2005|title=Triple J Timeline|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/triple-j-timeline-20050112-gdkh1g.html|url-access=limited|access-date=13 January 2025|website=The Sydney Morning Herald}} city's Sun newspaper claimed that attendees were "shocked" by "depictions of sexual depravity and shouted obscenities", which allegedly caused women in the audience to clap their hands over their ears, prompting Coalition frontbencher Peter Nixon to call for the station to be closed down.Elder & Wales, op.cit., p.36

During the 1970s, the music programming varied a lot and depended on the presenters and producers, with various factions favouring different artists and styles. There is also archival evidence of marijuana being used by presenters while on ABC grounds.

On 11 July 1980, 2JJ began broadcasting on the FM band at a frequency of 105.7 MHz (again restricted to within the Greater Sydney region) and became 2JJJ, referred to as Triple J.{{cite news|last=Hogan|first=Christine|date=11 July 1980|title=New FM stations on air|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=lL5f5cZgq8MC&dat=19800711&printsec=frontpage&hl=en|access-date=5 August 2024|work=Sydney Morning Herald|location=Sydney, Australia}} The first song played was another track then banned from commercial radio, "Gay Guys" by the Dugites.{{Cite web|last=Divola|first=Barry|date=5 December 2024|title=Peter Garrett and other stars celebrate 40 years of Triple J|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/peter-garrett-and-other-stars-celebrate-40-years-of-triple-j-20141205-11xqpt.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20241118122122/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/peter-garrett-and-other-stars-celebrate-40-years-of-triple-j-20141205-11xqpt.html|archive-date=18 November 2024|access-date=18 November 2024|website=The Sydney Morning Herald}} To celebrate the relaunch, the station organised a concert in Parramatta Park on 18 January 1981, featuring Midnight Oil and Matt Finish, who performed to a crowd of 40,000 people.{{cite web|year=2014|title=Matt Finish|url=http://www.mtv.com/artists/matt-finish/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413141424/http://www.mtv.com/artists/matt-finish/|archive-date=13 April 2014|access-date=12 April 2014|work=Matt Finish on MTV|publisher=Viacom International Inc}}{{cite web|year=2014|title=Bootlegs|url=http://www.midnight-oil.info/discography/bootleg/10|access-date=12 April 2014|work=Midnight Oil}}

On 19 January 1981, the AM transmissions ceased, and Triple J became an FM-only station. It was not until the 1989 that the ABC was finally able to expand to Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, Newcastle, and Perth.{{Cite web|date=12 February 2015|title=1985–1995: 40 Years of Triple J|url=https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/the-j-files/1985-1995-40-years-of-triple-j/10274872|access-date=18 November 2024|publisher=ABC Listen|language=en-AU}} During this period, there were attempts to establish a playlist for the whole station.

In 1990 the station took strike action after ABC management censored the N.W.A. song "Fuck tha Police". In retaliation, the presenters played N.W.A.'s song "Express Yourself" 82 times in a row. Triple M director Barry Chapman was appointed as general manager to oversee Triple J's network expansion and instil cultural change. His tenure generated controversy, most notably in 1990, when all senior announcers in the Sydney office were fired, including the most popular presenters Tony Biggs and Tim Ritchie. Several protests were held outside its William Street studios, including a 105-hour vigil, and a public meeting that packed the Sydney Town Hall with angry listeners spilled out onto the street. Listeners were concerned Chapman would bring a more commercial flair to Triple J with music programming that was less dominated by Sydney acts.{{Cite news|date=14 December 2023|title=Triple J Door Continues To Swing With Music Head Meagan Loader Exiting|url=https://themusic.com.au/industry/triple-j-door-continues-to-swing-with-radio-head-meagan-loader-exiting/fqg8kJOSlZQ/14-12-23|access-date=18 December 2024|work=The Music}}

Throughout the 1990s, Triple J commenced expansion to more regional areas of Australia and, in 1994, it was extended to another 18 regional centres throughout the country. In 1996, the total was brought to 44, with the new additions including Launceston, Tasmania; Albany, Western Australia; Bathurst, New South Wales and Mackay, Queensland. Triple J's most recent expansion was to Broome, Western Australia in 2005.{{Cite news|date=15 April 2005|title=Broome continues Triple J push|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2005-04-15/broome-continues-triple-j-push/1551864|access-date=18 December 2024|work=ABC News}}

From the 1990s until around 2010, Triple J "set the cultural agenda, particularly for Australian music". Grunge music came to the fore, and bands such as Spiderbait, the Beasts of Bourbon, and The Cruel Sea attained critical and popular success, boosted by Triple J's playlist.

In May 2003, Arnold Frolows, the only remaining member of the original 2JJ staff of 1975, stepped down after 28 years as Triple J music director. He was replaced by presenter Richard Kingsmill, who joined the station in 1988.{{cite web|date=24 May 2003|title='New' Triple J goes alternative|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/new-triple-j-goes-alternative-20030524-gdgtac.html|url-access=subscription|access-date=12 December 2023|website=The Sydney Morning Herald}}{{Cite web|last=Jolly|first=Nathan|date=15 December 2023|title=The Weekend Mumbo: Will Triple J rue the day it dethroned the King?|url=https://mumbrella.com.au/the-weekend-mumbo-will-triple-j-rue-the-day-it-dethroned-the-king-810542|access-date=16 December 2023|website=Mumbrella|language=en-US}} Kingsmill had previously worked as a producer and presenter at 2SER alongside Robbie Buck and Tracee Hutchison.{{Cite web |last=2SER |title=Before He Was "The King" |url=https://2ser.com/before-he-was-the-king/}}

In late 2004, the station's promotion for their annual Beat the Drum contest – in which listeners were to send in the most remarkable places they could promote the Triple J logo – caused brief controversy after it issued a promotional image of the former World Trade Center draped with a huge drum flag.{{Cite web|last=Maslog-Lewis|first=Kristyn|date=9 August 2004|title=Youth radio hammered over World Trade Centre digital photo|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/youth-radio-hammered-over-world-trade-centre-digital-photo/|access-date=15 December 2023|website=ZDNet}} A notable winner of the competition was a Queensland farmer who formed a drum logo-shaped crop circle in his wheat-fields.{{Cite web|date=8 October 2004|title=Crop Circle wins Triple J Beat the Drum competition|url=https://radioinfo.com.au/news/crop-circle-wins-triple-j-beat-drum-competition/|access-date=16 December 2023|website=RadioInfo}}

Triple J launched its own music magazine, JMag (later known as Triple J Magazine), in 2005.{{Cite web|last=Newstead|first=Al|date=21 May 2013|title=Publisher Drops Triple J Magazine, Staff Made Redundant As ABC Eyes Annual Editions|url=https://tonedeaf.thebrag.com/publisher-drops-triple-j-magazine-staff-made-redundant-as-abc-eyes-annual-editions/|access-date=14 November 2024|website=Tone Deaf|language=en-AU}} It was initially published quarterly, then monthly, but in 2013 the magazine ceased publication by News Custom Publishing. It returned as an annual edition, produced in-house, until 2016.{{Cite web|last=Fitzsimons|first=Scott|date=21 May 2013|title=Exclusive: Triple J Mag Moving To Annual Format|url=https://themusic.com.au/news/exclusive-triple-j-mag-moving-to-annual-format/nt2xsLOytbQ/21-05-13|access-date=14 November 2024|website=The Music|language=en}}

Adapting to the digital streaming age, in 2004, the station began to release podcasts of some of its talkback shows, including Dr. Karl, This Sporting Life, and Hack.{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}} In 2006, Triple J launched JTV (later rebranded to Triple J TV),{{Cite web|date=23 January 2008|title=Hottest 100 this weekend and new brand for Triple J TV show|url=https://radioinfo.com.au/news/hottest-100-weekend-and-new-brand-triple-j-tv-show/|access-date=16 December 2023|website=RadioInfo}} a series of television programs broadcast on ABC1 and ABC2 including music videos, live concerts, documentaries, and comedy, as well as a behind-the-scenes look at Triple J's studios.{{Cite web|date=15 February 2006|title=Triple J coming to a tv screen near you|url=https://radioinfo.com.au/news/triple-j-coming-tv-screen-near-you/|access-date=16 December 2023|website=RadioInfo}}

In 2006, the website for Triple J Unearthed was launched. It remains a hub for unsigned Australian artists to upload their music and be heard by the Triple J team.{{Cite web|date=3 November 2016|title=10 years of triplej Unearthed.com|url=https://www.abc.net.au/doublej/programs/the-j-files/10-years-of-triplej-unearthedcom/10274600|access-date=18 July 2023|website=Double J|language=en-AU}} A digital radio station, which only plays content from the website, was launched in 2011.{{Cite web|last=Murray|first=Jim|date=25 August 2011|title=Triple J Launch Unearthed Radio Station|url=https://tonedeaf.thebrag.com/triple-j-launch-unearthed-radio-station/|access-date=14 July 2023|website=Tone Deaf|language=en-AU}}

In 2014, ABC's Dig Music digital radio station was rebranded under the Triple J umbrella, becoming Double J on 30 April 2014.{{cite news|last=Vincent|first=Peter|title=Double J launches with Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds track|url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/double-j-launches-with-nick-cave-and-the-bad-seeds-track-20140430-37h7x.html|access-date=30 April 2014|newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald|date=30 April 2014}}{{cite web|last=Fitzsimons|first=Scott|title=Triple J's New Station Double J To Be Led By Myf Warhurst|url=http://themusic.com.au/news/all/2014/04/09/triple-j-new-station-double-j-to-be-lead-by-myf-warhurst/|work=TheMusic.com.au|access-date=9 April 2014}} The new station featured both new music and material from Triple J interview and sound archives. Former Triple J announcer Myf Warhurst, who hosted the inaugural shift, said "it's for people who love music, and also love a bit of music history".{{cite web|title=Double J is coming!|url=http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/musicnews/s3981481.htm|work=Triple J|access-date=9 April 2014|date=9 April 2014|archive-date=9 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140409202712/http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/musicnews/s3981481.htm|url-status=dead}} The first song played on Double J was Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds' "Get Ready for Love", followed by live performances by Australian artists Kate Miller-Heidke and Paul Dempsey.{{Cite web |author=Staff Writer |date=2014-04-30 |title=Double J launches |url=https://radiotoday.com.au/double-j-launches/ |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=Radio Today |language=en-AU}}

In ratings released in August 2015, Triple J was the highest or equal first in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth in the 25–39 demographic.{{cite web|date=28 August 2015|title=Triple J beats Fox, Nova and MMM to win radio ratings for 25–39 age bracket|url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/triple-j-beats-fox-nova-and-mmm-to-win-radio-ratings-for-2539-age-bracket-20150828-gj9t0s.html|work=The Sydney Morning Herald}}

Triple J attracted significant news coverage in the lead-up to the Hottest 100 of 2017, when the station announced they would move the countdown date to the fourth weekend of January, rather than on Australia Day (26 January). The decision was taken after a listener petition and survey indicated that the majority of listeners would like it changed, owing to sensitivities in the community about celebrating the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove.{{Cite news|date=27 November 2017|title=triple j's Hottest 100 is moving to a new date and here's why|work=triple j|url=http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/news/musicnews/triple-j-hottest-100-is-moving-to-a-new-date-and-heres-why/9197254|access-date=27 November 2017}}{{Cite news|last=Carmody|first=Broede|date=27 November 2017|title=Triple J confirms Hottest 100 will no longer air on Australia Day|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/triple-j-confirms-hottest-100-will-no-longer-air-on-australia-day-20171127-gztntu.html|access-date=27 November 2017}} The Hottest 100 has successfully broadcast on the fourth weekend of January (but not January 26) since 2018,{{Cite web |last=Dale |first=Jessica |title=What's In A Date? We Look At The Political Reaction to Triple J's Hottest 100 Date Change |url=https://themusic.com.au/news/triple-j-hottest-100-date-change/_l4REBMSFRQ/22-01-18 |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=The Music |language=en}} with prominent campaigners A.B. Original calling the move "a step in the right direction".{{Cite web |last=Cheer |first=Louise |last2=Kallios |first2=Natarsha |date=28 November 2017 |title=A.B. Original labels Australia Day 'trash' after Triple J Hottest 100 date change |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/a-b-original-labels-australia-day-trash-after-triple-j-hottest-100-date-change/dw386xlus |access-date=10 March 2025 |website=SBS World News |publisher=Special Broadcasting Service |language=en}}

Triple J began 2020 with a major overhaul of its hosts, replacing longtime presenters including Gen Fricker and Tom Tilley with younger talent including Bryce Mills and Lucy Smith, in what was billed as a "generational shift for the station".{{Cite news|last=Watson|first=Meg|date=24 November 2019|title='A generational shift': what the Triple J overhaul means for its audience|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/nov/24/a-generational-shift-what-the-triple-j-overhaul-means-for-its-audience|access-date=14 July 2023|work=Guardian Australia|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}

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In August 2021, the Triple J Twitter account posted a riff on a popular pick-up line, which attracted widespread criticism and accusations of ageism.{{Cite web|last=Sun|first=Michael|date=1 September 2021|title='Ageism is alive and well': Triple J lampooned for 'insulting' tweet|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/sep/01/ageism-is-alive-and-well-triple-j-lampooned-for-insulting-tweet|access-date=10 November 2024|website=The Guardian}}{{Cite web|last=Reid|first=Poppy|date=1 September 2021|title=We need to talk about *that* Triple J tweet|url=https://themusicnetwork.com/that-triple-j-tweet/|access-date=10 November 2024|website=The Music Network}} Writing for NME, journalist Andrew P Street said the controversy renewed discussion about the lack of airplay of older artists on the station, with many being "deemed Double J-ready" in their mid-20s.{{Cite web|last=Street|first=Andrew|date=1 September 2021|title=Triple J and the tweet heard around Australia|url=https://www.nme.com/features/triple-j-tweet-age-out-youth-radio-station-australia-music-3034514|access-date=10 November 2024|website=NME}}

As radio ratings continue to decline across the board due to the rise of streaming media,{{Cite web |last=Green |first=Stephen |date=18 April 2024 |title=Youth Radio Ratings Smashed In Bad Day For Triple J, CADA |url=https://themusic.com.au/industry/youth-radio-ratings-smashed-in-bad-day-for-triple-j-and-cada/aL_Wen18f34/18-04-24 |access-date=2025-03-07 |website=The Music |language=en}} Triple J saw a 2.5% decline of listeners across the major capital cities between late April and June 2022.{{Cite news|last=D'Souza|first=Shaad|date=7 August 2022|title=Tuning out of Triple J: why Australia's youth station is losing its young listeners|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/aug/08/tuning-out-of-triple-j-why-australias-youth-station-is-losing-its-young-listeners|access-date=14 July 2023|work=The Guardian|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}} Compared to the audience share of 7.7% in the Sydney 18–24 year-old demographic in 2021, the station had dropped to 4.4% in 2022.

In December 2023, it was announced that Richard Kingsmill, who had been the music director of Triple J and its sister stations, would be leaving after 35 years at the ABC.{{cite web|date=11 December 2023|title=Richard Kingsmill Leaves Triple J After 35 Years|url=https://themusic.com.au/industry/richard-kingsmill-leaves-triple-j-after-35-years/BdG7GRgbGh0/11-12-23|access-date=12 December 2023|website=The Music}} During his tenure, he doubled the amount of airtime given to Australian artists, from 30% to 60%, and increased the station's audience from 980,000 in 2006 to 3 million in 2022.{{cite web|date=11 December 2023|title='I've given my heart and soul': Richard Kingsmill leaves Triple J|url=https://www.mediaweek.com.au/ive-given-my-heart-and-soul-richard-kingsmill-leaves-triple-j/|access-date=12 December 2023|website=Mediaweek}}{{cite web|last=Eltham|first=Ben|author-link=Ben Eltham|date=13 December 2023|title=Kingsmill the kingmaker: Triple J veteran who shaped Australia's music tastes for decades departs ABC|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/dec/12/richard-kingsmill-triple-j-resignation-career-bio-australian-music|access-date=13 December 2023|website=The Guardian}} Several news outlets, including The Guardian and Mumbrella, wrote pieces about Kingsmill's importance to the Australian music scene,{{Cite news|last=Eltham|first=Ben|date=12 December 2023|title=Kingsmill the kingmaker: Triple J veteran who shaped Australia's music tastes for decades departs ABC|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/dec/12/richard-kingsmill-triple-j-resignation-career-bio-australian-music|access-date=16 December 2023|issn=0261-3077}} with Nathan Jolly of the latter calling the broadcaster "the most important single figure in the history of Australian music", on par with Michael Gudinski and Molly Meldrum.

Former head of the Nova network, Ben Latimer, was announced as the new head of radio at the ABC amidst a major board restructuring, causing audible "shock and disappointment" in a Sydney staff meeting.{{Cite web|last=Green|first=Stephen|date=15 December 2023|title=BREAKING: Triple J's New Management Structure Revealed|url=https://themusic.com.au/industry/triple-j-new-management-structure/brjMYGNiZWQ/15-12-23|access-date=15 December 2023|website=The Music|language=en}} Several presenters also announced their departures,{{Cite web|last=Lynch|first=Jessie|date=14 December 2023|title=Jess Perkins Departs Triple J: 'It's Time To Move On'|url=https://themusic.com.au/news/jess-perkins-departs-triple-j-it-s-time-to-move-on/fKrCbpGQk5I/14-12-23|access-date=15 December 2023|website=The Music|language=en}} and long-running late night music show Good Nights was axed.{{Cite web|last=Green|first=Stephen|date=18 December 2023|title=More Triple J Departures & 'Good Nights' Axed|url=https://themusic.com.au/news/more-triple-j-departures-good-nights-axed/5DJa9vn4-_o/18-12-23|access-date=19 December 2023|website=The Music|language=en}}

In May 2024, Triple J hosted the inaugural Bars of Steel Live event in Parramatta, showcasing hip hop and rap artists from all across Western Sydney.{{Cite web|last=Connery|first=Tess|date=9 May 2024|title=Triple J takes Bars of Steel to Parramatta in first live event|url=https://www.mediaweek.com.au/triple-j-takes-bars-of-steel-to-western-sydney-in-live-event/|access-date=13 November 2024|website=Mediaweek}} In September, the station also revived its One Night Stand regional music festival, which had not run since 2019. It took place in Warrnambool, Victoria to a sold-out crowd.{{Cite web|last=Fry|first=Courtney|date=24 July 2024|title=How to stream One Night Stand this Saturday|url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/news/one-night-stand-2024/104042284|access-date=13 November 2024|publisher=Triple J|language=en-AU}}

In January 2025, the station celebrated 50 years of existence.{{cite web | last=Giuffre | first=Liz | title=50 years of Triple J: challenging censorship, supporting Australian artists, and 'no dope in the studio!' | website=The Conversation | date=17 January 2025 | url=https://theconversation.com/50-years-of-triple-j-challenging-censorship-supporting-australian-artists-and-no-dope-in-the-studio-246679 | access-date=4 February 2025}} To celebrate the event, Double J broadcast the very first day of Triple J's 1975 broadcast, on 19 January 2025 from 11 am to 11 pm, with a two-hour simulcast on Triple J. Holger Brockmann introduced the replay.{{cite web | title=Listen to its first day of broadcast on Double J this Sunday | website=Double J | date=13 January 2025 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/listen/doublej/music-reads/music-news/triple-j-50-birthday-broadcast-first-day-skyhooks-holger/104804002 | access-date=4 February 2025}} Rage also featured a birthday special in January 2025.

A change to higher rotation for new music resulted in a jump in listenership in March 2025.{{Cite web |last=Kennedy |first=Jade |date=2025-03-27 |title=Youth Listeners Fuel Radio's Digital-Era Boom |url=https://themusicnetwork.com/youth-listeners-fuel-radio-digital-boom/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJV6F1leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHb3E1-I88bM4dcuAQJloSbn0WdmIlwJRED9Y50NCx7bbzmheSb28jt-bXg_aem_-JhJR1-BJVJiuw-TnQZD2w |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=The Music Network}}

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| quote = Our brief was to provide an alternative to the mainstream, with a heavy emphasis on Australian content. We were to provide opportunities for live and recorded performances by young Australian musicians, and play (shock! horror!) album tracks from all the genres of music that weren't being heard on commercial radio.

| author = Gayle Austin

| source = Off the Dial

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In the station's early years, Triple J primarily played alternative rock and pop rock, but the range of music programmed was far wider than its commercial rivals, encompassing both mainstream and alternative rock and pop, experimental and electronic music, progressive rock, funk, soul, disco, reggae, and the emerging ambient, punk and new wave genres of the late 1970s.{{Cite journal|last=Kish|first=Alicia|date=February 2015|title=The Music Market In Australia And New Zealand|url=https://livemusicoffice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/The-Music-Market-in-Australia-and-New-Zealand-Report-2015-CAAMA.pdf|journal=Canadian Association for the Advancement of Music and the Arts|pages=33}}{{cite web|last1=Scaddan|first1=Chris|title=Why music radio still matters|url=http://about.abc.net.au/2013/04/why-music-radio-still-matters/|access-date=3 February 2016|website=About the ABC}} Today, the station mostly plays modern rock, alt-pop, hip-hop and electronic music.{{Cite web|last=Lennox|first=Will|last2=Gentry|first2=Charlotte|date=18 December 2024|title=GQ predicts: Here’s what the 2024 Triple J Hottest 100 top 15 could look like|url=https://www.gq.com.au/culture/entertainment/triple-j-hottest-100-predictions/image-gallery/aca62cb4e80087b9e1746e20d7c74b47|access-date=18 December 2024|website=GQ}}

Triple J initially positioned itself as a "punk" brand due to its fringe and often controversial music programming. The first song played on the station, "You Just Like Me 'Cos I'm Good in Bed" by Skyhooks, was banned from other Australian broadcasters due to its salacious content.{{Cite web |last=Griffin |first=Mark |date=20 June 2024 |title=Opinion: We Love Triple J, But It Needs To Be Punk Again |url=https://themusic.com.au/industry/a-love-letter-to-triple-j/xFR61tnY29o/20-06-24 |access-date=13 November 2024 |website=The Music}}{{Cite web|last=Hope|first=Cathy|date=19 January 2015|title=Happy birthday Triple J: Australian radio's enfant terrible turns 40|url=https://theconversation.com/happy-birthday-triple-j-australian-radios-enfant-terrible-turns-40-36254|access-date=13 November 2024|website=The Conversation|language=en-US}} The station had also been playing N.W.A's protest song "Fuck tha Police" for six months before ABC management caught on, who banned it in 1990. As a result, Triple J staff went on strike and put the group's song "Express Yourself" on continuous play for 24 hours, playing it roughly 82 times in a row.{{cite web|title=Censorship and NWA's Fuck the Police|url=http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/30years/stories/s1286179.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405080054/http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/30years/stories/s1286179.htm|archive-date=5 April 2016|access-date=5 May 2008|work=Triple J|publisher=abc.net.au}}{{Cite web|last1=Chamberlin|first1=Paul|last2=Casimir|first2=Jon|date=2 September 2015|title=Express yourself: The day Triple J played the same N.W.A. song 82 times in a row|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/express-yourself-the-day-triple-j-played-the-same-nwa-song-82-times-in-a-row-20150902-gjdk0d.html|access-date=6 May 2018|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|orig-year=1990-05-08}}

File:Lime Cordiale, Peats Ridge 2012.jpg were the most played act on Triple J in 2024.]]Triple J plays far more Australian music than its commercial rivals, and was a pioneer in its coverage of independent music.{{cite web |title=Chapter 10: Youth Music |url=http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/edic/inquiries/Broadcast/EDCMay99-129.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021012939/http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/edic/inquiries/Broadcast/EDCMay99-129.htm |archive-date=21 October 2014 |access-date=27 July 2009 |publisher=Victorian Government}}{{cite web |title=Inside the ABC – Issue 11 |url=http://www.abc.net.au/corp/pubs/iabc/stories/s850769.htm |access-date=10 November 2009 |publisher=abc.net.au}} The station has always had a 40% Australian music quota, well above commercial radio's 25%– mainstream radio has long been criticised for not playing enough local content.{{Cite news |last=Donoughue |first=Paul |date=23 March 2018 |title=Commercial radio is not playing enough Australian music, researcher says |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-23/commercial-radio-missing-australian-music-quotas-researcher-says/9575146 |access-date=10 March 2025 |work=ABC News}}{{Cite news |last=Kelly |first=Vivienne |date=5 August 2021 |title=Petition for radio to play more Australian music kicks off |url=https://radiotoday.com.au/australian-music-quotas-radio-petition/ |access-date=10 March 2025 |work=Radio Today}} Early presenter Gayle Austin reflected in 2006 that before Triple J, "Australian music didn’t have much production put into it because there wasn’t much money made out of it." In 2024, out of the 50 most played artists on Triple J, 33 were Australian, including eight in the top 10. Further, more than half of the acts included a non-male member. The most played act was indie pop duo Lime Cordiale.{{Cite web|last=Varvaris|first=Mary|date=13 December 2024|title=Triple J Reveals Its Top-Played Artists of 2024|url=https://themusic.com.au/news/triple-j-reveals-its-top-played-artists-of-2024/lz8li4qNjI8/13-12-24|access-date=18 December 2024|website=The Music}}

For decades, Triple J has been criticised for apparently sounding too much like commercial radio and losing its distinct identity. According to Sam Whiting of The Conversation, it is a "national pastime" to critique the broadcaster for this exact reason. Writers have pointed to increased air time for international pop stars like Doja Cat, Olivia Rodrigo and Lil Nas X as proof of this, and that Billie Eilish's win in the 2018 Hottest 100 was an outcome "unthinkable even a few years earlier."{{cite web|last=Vincent|first=Peter|date=14 January 2015|title=Is Triple J still relevant?|url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/is-triple-j-still-relevant-20150115-12nww5.html|work=The Sydney Morning Herald}} Similarly, Shaad D'Souza of The Guardian claims that in recent years, the station's programming has been dominated by garage-pop bands, and overall "consistent to a fault." These criticisms tend to overlook the impact of genre shows like First Nations music show Blak Out,{{Cite web |last=LeFevre |first=Jules |date=2023-10-15 |title=Nooky Calls Referendum Result the "Most Overt Manifestation of Racism I've Ever Experienced" |url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/nooky-voice-result-triple-j/ |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=Music Feeds |language=en-US}} and dance music show House Party,{{Cite web |date=2025-03-08 |title=House Party with Shantan Wantan Ichiban and Latifa Tee |url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/programs/house-party |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=triple j |language=en-AU}} as well as other published data about the changing sound of the station over time.{{Cite web |last=Giuffre |first=Liz |date=2025-01-15 |title=50 years of Triple J: challenging censorship, supporting Australian artists, and 'no dope in the studio!' |url=https://theconversation.com/50-years-of-triple-j-challenging-censorship-supporting-australian-artists-and-no-dope-in-the-studio-246679 |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=The Conversation |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |date=2023-02-01 |title=Why this year's Hottest 100 was the worst for dancing in a decade |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-02/what-30-years-of-data-reveals-about-our-changing-music-tastes/101909192 |access-date=2025-03-09 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}

Launched in 2006 by Paul Stipack, J Play was an online archive of every song played by Triple J over 12 years. It showed an artist's trajectory from their first airing to full rotation. The privately-owned site was acquired by Seventh Street Media (Brag Media) along with music publications Tone Deaf and The Brag, in early 2017.{{cite news|last=Eliezer|first=Christie|title=Industrial Strength: Music Industry News|url=https://issuu.com/furstmedia/docs/brag_671|access-date=11 March 2017|work=Brag|page=10|via=Issuu|issue=671}}{{cite news|last=Kelly|first=Vivienne|title=News: Seventh Street Media acquires Tone Deaf, The Brag and J Play|url=https://mumbrella.com.au/seventh-street-media-acquires-tone-deaf-brag-j-play-420155|access-date=11 March 2017|publisher=Mumbrella}} Owing to changes in the music industry, J Play's usefulness diminished, and it ceased operation in January 2019. The Brag Media retained the J Play database of 40,000 songs, 11,000 artists, and 15,000 playlists.{{cite web|last=Reid|first=Poppy|date=23 January 2019|title=J Play published its last ever run of data this week|url=https://themusicnetwork.com/j-play-to-publish-its-last-ever-run-of-data/|access-date=16 September 2023|website=The Music Network}}

In June 2024, Sydney software engineer Harrison Khannah launched Triple J Watchdog, a similar online resource that tracks each week's top songs, musicians and genres, with additional statistics like artists' country of origin, pronouns and their amount of Spotify monthly listeners.{{Cite web|last=Whiting|first=Sam|date=26 June 2024|title=Australia's music artists are in dire straits – yet taxpayer-funded Triple J won't shake its commercial flavour|url=https://theconversation.com/australias-music-artists-are-in-dire-straits-yet-taxpayer-funded-triple-j-wont-shake-its-commercial-flavour-233093|access-date=10 November 2024|website=The Conversation}}

The Triple J name is stylised in all lowercase, a marketing decision made in 1981{{Cite web|last=Adams|first=Cameron|date=10 August 2020|title=Triple J biggest success stories and most controversial scandals|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/music/as-triple-j-turns-40-take-a-look-back-at-the-stations-biggest-success-stories-and-most-controversial-scandals/news-story/12762dcc2376923edde1d3b01de2bd23?amp&nk=224088bfd74f78369eabed87ff8965d1-1718857020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240620041645/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/music/as-triple-j-turns-40-take-a-look-back-at-the-stations-biggest-success-stories-and-most-controversial-scandals/news-story/12762dcc2376923edde1d3b01de2bd23?amp&nk=224088bfd74f78369eabed87ff8965d1-1718857020#selection-955.0-962.0|archive-date=20 June 2024|access-date=20 June 2024|website=Herald Sun}} that according to writer Ben Eltham of Meanjin, is one that reflects "a particular world-view that takes brand identity seriously". Marketing staff will vet press releases and posters to ensure the broadcaster name is written as triple j.{{Cite web|last=Eltham|first=Ben|author-link=Ben Eltham|date=2009|title=The Curious Significance of Triple J|url=https://meanjin.com.au/essays/the-curious-significance-of-triple-j/|access-date=20 June 2024|website=Meanjin|language=en-AU}} In November 2024, the logos of Triple J and its sister stations were updated for the first time in 15 years.{{Cite web|last=Leong|first=Matthew|date=29 October 2024|title=ABC's Triple J refreshes brand identity after 15 years, via Howatson+Company|url=https://mumbrella.com.au/abcs-triple-j-refreshes-brand-identity-after-15-years-via-howatsoncompany-854181|access-date=2 November 2024|website=Mumbrella}}File:Triple J News Theme 1991.mp3". ]]

The Triple J news theme is a "very 90s remix" of the classic ABC News theme "Majestic Fanfare". It was written and produced by Paul McKercher and John Jacobs in 1991, and is still used as of 2024. It contains a drum sample from Prince's "Get Off" and the record scratch from N.W.A's "Fuck tha Police", a nod to the track after it was banned by ABC management.{{Cite web|last=Rääbus|first=Carol|date=5 June 2022|title=ABC news theme Majestic Fanfare may not be 'anything special', but is held dearly by many Australians|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/backstory/2022-06-05/abc-news-theme-majestic-fanfare-history/101117652|access-date=11 June 2024|website=ABC News}} This unconventional news theme is another core element of the Triple J brand identity– McKercher wanted to create a sound that was distinctly uncommercial.{{Cite AV media|url=https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/hobart-your-afternoon/tasmanian-who-made-the-triplej-news-theme/13907224|title=Tasmanian music producer who created the Triple J news theme|date=30 May 2022|last=Shield|first=Helen|type=Radio broadcast|publisher=ABC Radio Hobart|quote=(on McKercher's intention for the news theme) ... People would know that it was the ABC, but would also know that it was very specifically Triple J, and kinda importantly that it wasn't commercial radio too.}}

{{Main|List of Triple J programs}}

Through the mid-to-late 1980s, Triple J pioneered special interest programs including the Japanese pop show Nippi Rock Shop, Arnold Frolows' weekly late-night ambient music show Ambience, and Jaslyn Hall's world music show – the first of its kind on Australian mainstream radio. Nowadays, the station continues to broadcast several genre-specific music programs throughout the week, including:

• Core: playing heavy metal, hardcore, punk and emo music
• Hip Hop Show: playing hip-hop music
• Prism: playing alternative pop, K-pop and J-pop music
• Soul Ctrl: playing neo soul and rhythm & blues music.{{Cite web|date=10 January 2022|title=Introducing Triple J's new show, Soul Ctrl! Check out full 2022 programming schedule|url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/news/introducing-new-triple-j-show-soul-ctrl-tyrone-pynor-2022/13700734|access-date=20 June 2024|website=Triple J|language=en-AU}}

Currently hosted by Ash McGregor, Home and Hosed is the flagship Australian music program on Triple J. It is broadcast most weekday evenings, whereas other specialist shows are only scheduled for once a week.{{Cite web|last=Lynch|first=Jessie|date=20 December 2023|title='Home & Hosed' And 'Drive' Expanded In New Triple J Programming Changes|url=https://themusic.com.au/industry/home-hosed-and-drive-expanded-in-new-triple-j-programming-changes/5zBV-_r9_P8/20-12-23|access-date=20 June 2024|website=The Music|language=en}} Blak Out also broadcasts on Sunday nights, showcasing the music of Indigenous Australian musicians.

Triple J also has several live music segments, including Like a Version– a weekly program which sees an artist perform an original and a cover song, Live at the Wireless– broadcasts of exclusive concert recordings, and Bars of Steel, a web series featuring up-and-coming rappers freestyling.{{Cite web|date=5 October 2022|title=Bars of Steel: our freestyle series is back in a big way for 2022|url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/news/bars-of-steel-triple-j-freestyle-series-back-in-a-big-way-2022/101499162|access-date=26 November 2024|website=Triple J}}

News updates on Triple J are written and edited from a youth-oriented perspective. Hack, the station's flagship current affairs program, is broadcast every weekday evening and features investigations into relevant issues affecting young Australians.{{Cite web|last=Gardner|first=Jessica|date=4 November 2016|title=Meet Triple J's Tom Tilley: you're sure to be hearing more from him in future|url=https://www.afr.com/work-and-careers/management/meet-triple-js-tom-tilley-youre-sure-to-be-hearing-more-from-him-in-future-20161101-gsf332|access-date=18 September 2023|website=Australian Financial Review|language=en}}

{{Main|List of Triple J presenters}}

Many early Triple J presenters went on to successful careers with commercial stations, the most notable being Doug Mulray, who honed his distinctive comedy-based style at the ABC before moving to rival FM rock station Triple M in the 1980s, where he became the most popular breakfast presenter in Sydney, and one of the highest-paid radio personalities in the country. Presenter Annette Shun Wah went on to host the popular Rock Around the World series on SBS and is now a program executive with SBS TV and producer of The Movie Show.

From July 2024, presenters on daily programs include:{{Cite web|date=19 June 2024|title=All Programs|url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/programs|access-date=19 June 2024|website=Triple J}}

• Breakfast: Concetta Caristo and Luka Muller
• Mornings: Lucy Smith
• Lunch: Dave Woodhead
• Drive: Abby Butler and Tyrone Pynor
• Hack: Dave Marchese

{{Main|Triple J Unearthed}}

File:Missy_Higgins_Photo_by_Joel_Cangy.jpg says her 2001 Unearthed success led to her initial record deal and subsequent success.{{Cite web|date=2 December 2022|title=The Sound Of Missy Higgins|url=https://www.mackayandwhitsundaylife.com/article/the-sound-of-missy-higgins|access-date=20 July 2023|website=Mackay and Whitsunday Life}}]]

Triple J Unearthed is an online music discovery platform and digital radio station that features only unsigned Australian artists, focusing on discovering new local acts. Originally founded as a talent competition in 1996, notable winners of the time included Killing Heidi, Missy Higgins and Grinspoon.{{Cite web|last=Condon|first=Dan|date=17 August 2017|title=The J Files: Grinspoon|url=https://www.abc.net.au/doublej/programs/the-j-files/grinspoon/10274464|access-date=16 July 2023|website=Double J|language=en-AU}}{{Cite web|last=Shneier|first=Luanne|date=10 March 2020|title=Killing Heidi's Reflector — behind this shiny pop rock gem, 20 years on|url=https://www.abc.net.au/doublej/music-reads/features/killing-heidi-reflector-20th-anniversary/12043382|access-date=16 July 2023|website=Double J|language=en-AU}} The Triple J Unearthed website was launched in 2006, and in five years, grew to host 30,000 artists and 250,000 users. Musicians can upload their songs to the site, and users can rate tracks and leave comments.{{Cite web|date=7 March 2014|title=triple j Unearthed launches new website with social features|url=https://about.abc.net.au/press-releases/triple-j-unearthed-launches-new-website-with-social-features/|access-date=16 July 2023|website=ABC|language=en-AU}} In 2011, Triple J Unearthed was launched as a digital station in five Australian capital cities.

Unearthed hosts a number of competitions and initiatives to improve the recognition of independent artists. For example, Unearthed High is an annual contest held founded in 2008 aimed at musicians and bands in high school. The winner receives mentoring, recording opportunities and airplay on Triple J. Recent acts to have found success with the initiative include Hockey Dad (2014), The Kid Laroi (2018), Genesis Owusu (2015) Japanese Wallpaper (2014) and Gretta Ray (2016).{{Cite web|date=14 March 2023|title=Celebrating 15 years of triple j Unearthed High|url=https://radioinfo.com.au/news/celebrating-15-years-of-triple-j-unearthed-high/|access-date=16 July 2023|website=RadioInfo}} Triple J also hosts regular competitions for artists on the platform to win slots on major festival lineups like Splendour in the Grass and Laneway,{{Cite news |last=Carr |first=Michael |date=24 May 2016 |title=Triple J Unearthed Are Offering You The Chance To Play At Splendour In The Grass |url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/triple-j-unearthed-offering-chance-play-splendour-grass/ |access-date=10 March 2025 |work=Music Feeds}} and support slots for international artists like Denzel Curry.{{Cite web |last=Zylstra |first=Tione |date=20 July 2023 |title=Unearthing Aussie Artists: The Triple J Effect |url=https://purplesneakers.com.au/features/unearthing-aussie-artists-the-triple-j-effect/v3F909LV1Nc/20-07-23 |access-date=20 July 2023 |website=Purple Sneakers |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=9 January 2025 |title=Your Chance To Support Denzel Curry in Australia (!!!) |url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/programs/program-unearthed/your-chance-to-support-denzel-curry-in-australia-/104792290 |access-date=10 March 2025 |website=Triple J}}

Every November, Triple J celebrates Ausmusic Month, where Australian acts are heavily promoted across all its stations.{{Cite web|date=19 October 2010|title=AusMusic Month on Triple J|url=https://radioinfo.com.au/news/ausmusic-month-triple-j/|access-date=16 July 2023|website=RadioInfo}} A number of events are organised, including major concerts– in 2010 this included headlining acts Bag Raiders and Ball Park Music and in 2018 featured performances from Paul Kelly, Crowded House and Missy Higgins. Triple J hosts the J Awards during the month,{{Cite web|date=1 November 2022|title=triple j kicks off Ausmusic Month with the 2022 J Award nominees as Hau Lātūkefu steps down from the Hip Hop Show|url=https://radioinfo.com.au/news/triple-j-kicks-off-ausmusic-month-with-the-2022-j-award-nominees/|access-date=16 July 2023|website=RadioInfo}}{{Cite web|date=13 July 2022|title=About the J Awards|url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/events/about-the-j-awards/13780826|access-date=14 July 2023|website=Triple J|language=en-AU}} and encourages listeners to wear their favourite band's t-shirt on Ausmusic T-Shirt Day, an initiative which the station founded in 2013.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=31 October 2018|title=triple j reveals a jam-packed run of events for Aus Music Month|url=https://themusicnetwork.com/triple-j-reveals-a-jam-packed-run-of-events-for-aus-music-month/|access-date=16 July 2023|website=The Music Network}}

{{Main|J Awards}}

The J Awards are an annual awards ceremony held in November each year to celebrate Australian music. As of 2024, the five award categories are Australian Album of the Year, Australian Music Video of the Year, Australian Live Act of the Year, Unearthed Artist of the Year and Double J Artist of the Year. The most recent J Award winners for Australian Album of the Year were Smiling With No Teeth by Genesis Owusu in 2021, Angel in Realtime by Gang of Youths in 2022, Drummer by G Flip in 2023, and Zorb by Sycco in 2024.

{{Main|Triple J Hottest 100}}

File:Chappell Roan @ Hollywood Palladium 11 18 2022 (53886572991).jpg is the latest artist to top the Hottest 100.{{Cite news|last=Cunningham|first=Kate|date=28 January 2025|title=Chappell Roan's Good Luck, Babe! wins Triple J's Hottest 100|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/jan/25/chappell-roans-good-luck-babe-wins-triple-j-hottest-100|access-date=27 January 2025|work=The Guardian}}]]

The Hottest 100 is an annual poll of the previous year's most popular songs, as voted by listeners. It has been conducted for over two decades in its present form and attracts millions of votes annually.{{cite news|date=27 January 2011|title=Angus and Julia Stone top hottest 100|url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/aussie-duo-takes-out-hottest-100-honours/story-e6frfn0r-1225995096019|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110129021512/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/aussie-duo-takes-out-hottest-100-honours/story-e6frfn0r-1225995096019|archive-date=29 January 2011|access-date=21 May 2011|publisher=News.com.au}}{{cite news|date=27 January 2006|title=Local talent the pick in Triple J's top 100|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/music/local-talent-the-pick-in-triple-js-top-100/2006/01/26/1138066921989.html|access-date=14 November 2006|newspaper=The Age}} It is promoted as the "world's greatest music democracy"{{cite web|last1=McCann|first1=James|title=Time to shake off Triple J's great injustice against Taylor Swift|url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/celebrity/time-to-shake-off-triple-j-s-great-injustice-against-taylor-swift-20200207-p53ym0.html|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=19 January 2025|date=11 February 2020}} and has also spawned a series of compilation CDs released via ABC Music. The countdown of the poll had regularly taken place on Australia Day from 1998 to 2017. In response to controversy surrounding the Australia Day debate, and a petition and survey indicating that the majority of their listeners would like it to be changed, it was announced in November 2017 that future countdowns would be aired on the fourth weekend of January to avoid associations with the public holiday.{{Cite news|date=27 November 2017|title=Hottest 100's new date|url=http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/news/musicnews/triple-j-hottest-100-is-moving-to-a-new-date-and-heres-why/9197254|access-date=21 January 2018|work=triple j}}

The station also runs irregular speciality Hottest 100 countdowns, such as the Hottest 100 Australian Albums in 2011, the Hottest 100 of the 2010s in 2020, and the Hottest 100 of Like a Version in 2023.{{cite web|title=Triple J's Hottest 100 Like a Version|url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hottest100/|access-date=18 July 2023|website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation}}{{cite news|date=16 July 2023|title='Quite special': DMA'S wins first Triple J Top 100 Like a Version with Cher's Believe|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/jul/16/quite-special-dmas-wins-first-triple-j-top-100-like-a-version-with-chers-believe|access-date=18 July 2023|publisher=Guardian Australia}}

In July 2023, the network launched Triple J Hottest, an online radio station featuring a playlist of tracks from all previous Hottest 100 countdowns.{{cite web|date=9 July 2023|title=Triple j Hottest|url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplejhottest|access-date=18 July 2023|website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation}} It is the first sister channel to not be available on digital radio, instead only available via streaming (including the website, app, and streaming services such as TuneIn and iHeartRadio).{{cite web|date=10 July 2023|title=triple j Hottest – here's what you need to know about the new Hottest 100 station|url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/news/triple-j-hottest-here-s-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-hott/102484224|website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation}}

{{See also|Super Request}}

Broadcast annually from 2020 until 2022, Triple J held Requestival, where they only played listeners' song requests for five days straight.{{Cite web|last=Jenke|first=Tyler|date=19 May 2020|title=Triple J are Opening the Request Line for Their First Ever 'Requestival'|url=https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/triple-j-requestival-11272/|access-date=10 November 2024|website=Rolling Stone Australia}}{{Cite journal |last=Giuffre |first=Liz |date=2021-02-01 |title=Bluey, Requestival, Play School and ME@Home: the ABC (Kids) of communication cultures during lockdown |url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1329878X20952520 |journal=Media International Australia |language=en |volume=178 |issue=1 |pages=63–76 |doi=10.1177/1329878X20952520 |issn=1329-878X |pmc=8280551}} Significant airtime was given to songs and artists that would never usually be played on the station, including "Symphony No. 5" by Ludwig van Beethoven, "Shake It Off" by Taylor Swift (which was notably banned from the 2014 Hottest 100), "Rasputin" by Boney M., the theme songs to TV programs Antiques Roadshow and Saddle Club, the entirety of Julia Gillard's misogyny speech, and the Geelong Cats club song, "We Are Geelong".{{Cite web|last=Langford|first=Jackson|date=3 June 2020|title=The Most Batshit Songs Played During Triple J's 'Requestival'|url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/the-most-batshit-songs-played-during-triple-js-requestival/|access-date=10 November 2024|website=Music Feeds}}{{Cite web|last=Langford|first=Jackson|date=11 May 2021|title=Here’s How Triple J Kicked Off Requestival 2021|url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/heres-how-triple-j-kicked-off-requestival-2021/|access-date=10 November 2024|website=Music Feeds}} In 2021, more than 80,000 song requests were submitted by listeners.{{Cite web|last=Boland|first=Bray|date=19 September 2022|title=Triple J's Requestival returns|url=https://radiotoday.com.au/triple-js-requestival-returns/|access-date=10 November 2024|website=Radio Today}} The event was similar in concept to Super Request, a nightly music request show that aired from 1998 to 2001.

{{Main|Impossible Music Festival}}

Broadcast annually from 2005 to 2008 was the Impossible Music Festival, a radio event that consisted of 55 live music recordings played consecutively over one weekend. The lineup of artists each time was decided by listeners, and recordings were derived from festivals, concerts, pub gigs and studio sessions.

{{Main|One Night Stand (festival)}}

File:Triple J One Night Stand map 2025.jpg

Beginning in 2004 and happening annually almost every year since, Triple J has hosted One Night Stand, a free, all-ages concert in a different small town.{{cite web|date=11 December 2023|title=The ABC farewells Richard Kingsmill|url=https://about.abc.net.au/press-releases/the-abc-farewells-richard-kingsmill/|access-date=12 December 2023|website=About the ABC}} It is up to the audience to nominate their regional towns to host the event, needing to provide examples of local support, including community (signatures), local government (council approval), and a venue for the concert.{{Cite web|last=Newstead|first=Al|date=25 June 2019|title=Triple J's One Night Stand is back, and here's the 2019 line-up!|url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/news/triple-j-one-night-stand-2019-lineup-announce/11242066|access-date=16 December 2023|website=Triple J|language=en-AU}} The most recent One Night Stand was hosted in Busselton, Western Australia in May 2025.

Based on the station's Bars of Steel web series, the station hosted a free concert in Parramatta in May 2024, featuring hip hop and rap artists from all across Western Sydney. Billed as the inaugural event, the 2024 lineup included Youngn Lipz, A.Girl, Becca Hatch and Unearthed competition winners. Triple J also hosted several songwriting and music production workshops coinciding with the live performances.{{Cite web|date=8 May 2024|title=Bars of Steel Live is headed to Parramatta for its first block party|url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/news/bars-of-steel-live-western-sydney-parramatta/103819898|access-date=26 November 2024|website=Triple J}}

{{Main|Beat the Drum (album)}}

On 16 January 2015, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Triple J, a one-off, seven-hour concert called Beat the Drum was held at the Domain, Sydney. Hosted by Peter Garrett, the list of performers, all of whom are the beneficiaries of the station's support, included Hilltop Hoods, the Presets, the Cat Empire, You Am I, Daniel Johns, Joelistics, Ball Park Music, Adalita, Vance Joy, and Gotye. A recording of the event was released on CD and DVD in May 2015, which won the ARIA Award for Best Original Soundtrack, Cast or Show Album.

In November 2009, Triple J hosted a tribute concert series for Paul Kelly called Before Too Long, which was run over two nights at Melbourne's Forum Theatre.{{cite web|last=Donovan|first=Patrick|date=12 October 2009|title=Legend of song Kelly|url=https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/music/legend-of-song-kelly-20091012-ge8528.html|access-date=12 December 2023|website=The Age}} In 2011, another live set of shows was presented by the station, this time honouring Nick Cave, in a show called Straight to You. Both events were recorded to produce two commercially successful live albums.{{Cite web|last=Lewis|first=Melanie|date=16 November 2011|title=Straight To You: Nick Cave Tribute|url=https://tonedeaf.thebrag.com/straight-to-you-nick-cave-tribute-2/|access-date=16 December 2023|website=Tone Deaf|language=en-AU}}

{{Blockquote|text=On any given day, hundreds of thousands of listeners across the country are tuned in. Label owners, promoters, publicists and musicians follow the station with relentless fascination, as its playlist and musical preferences can literally make, delay, or break careers in the notoriously fickle music business.|author=Andrew McMillen, The Discovery Channel, 6 January 2012{{Cite magazine|date=2012-01-06|title=The Discovery Channel|magazine=Rolling Stone Australia|last=McMillen|first=Andrew|url=http://andrewmcmillen.com/2012/01/06/rolling-stone-story-the-discovery-channel-triple-js-power-over-australian-music-december-2011/|access-date=2024-12-18|author-link=Andrew McMillen}}}}

Triple J, according to Whiting, "retains substantial influence over Australia’s music market and the capacity for local artists to gain an audience," and has done since its inception. With a more adventurous music catalogue than that of commercial radio, especially throughout the 1980s, Triple J were responsible for popularising some of Australia's most well-known acts, including Midnight Oil, Nick Cave, Silverchair and the John Butler Trio.{{Cite news |last=Cannane |first=Steve |author-link=Steve Cannane |date=7 January 2005 |title=Radio Ga Ga |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/radio-ga-ga-20050107-gdkg5z.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108053700/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/radio-ga-ga-20050107-gdkg5z.html |archive-date=8 November 2023 |access-date=18 September 2023 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |pages=27}} They have also been given credit for creating local audiences for overseas acts, like Blondie, Devo, Garbage and the B-52s – 2JJ was the first radio station in the world to play the latter's debut single "Rock Lobster".{{Cite news |last=Collins |first=Sarah-Jane |date=19 January 2015 |title=40 ways Triple J changed the Australian landscape |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-19/40-ways-triple-j-changed-the-australian-landscape/6021220 |access-date=18 September 2023 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}} Reflecting on the station's 30 year anniversary in 2005, former presenter Steve Cannane said "Plenty of musos, comedians, announcers and journos got their start courtesy of the station."

Triple J also had a significant effect on record distribution in its early years. Labels would previously only import recordings that they knew would yield good commercial return, leaving them often unwilling to take risks on local releases from unknown acts. For example, Australian distributors initially refused to offer 801's 1976 live album 801 Live in the country, but constant airplay on 2JJ made the record the highest selling import album of the year. Thus, the label decided to release it locally.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

{{Quote box

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In January 2014, Fairfax newspapers published a report questioning if Triple J has had a "homogenising effect on Australian contemporary music."{{Cite web |last=Moskovitch |first=Greg |date=12 January 2014 |title=Triple J Under Fire For "Sound" Bias |url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/triple-j-under-fire-for-sound-bias/ |access-date=18 September 2023 |website=Music Feeds |language=en-US}} Several notable musicians were interviewed (all remaining anonymous), who spoke of a certain "Triple J sound" that artists needed to get airplay.{{Cite web |last=Newstead |first=Al |date=12 January 2014 |title=Triple J Blamed For Homogenisation Of Aussie Music |url=https://tonedeaf.thebrag.com/triple-j-blamed-for-homogenisation-of-aussie-music/ |access-date=18 September 2023 |website=Tone Deaf |language=en-AU}} Musician Whitley believed the broadcaster had "failed as a tax-payer funded radio station that is supposed to challenge and present new ideas for the youth of Australia."{{Cite news |last=Baroni |first=Natassia |date=15 January 2024 |title=Whitley Backs Triple J Bias Claims: 'They've Failed' |url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/whitley-backs-triple-j-bias-claims-theyve-failed/ |access-date=11 March 2025 |work=Music Feeds}} Music director of Triple J Unearthed, Dave Ruby Howe, acknowledged there were some similar sounds on the discovery platform, but bands purely chasing airplay will get caught out.

Triple J has sponsored Australian live music events since its inception, and has organised its own festivals like Bars of Steel Live and One Night Stand, the latter of which has run in small regional towns since 2004. In 2024, Triple J and Double J supported over 60 festivals and tours of international and domestic artists. They promote such events in their radio programs and commercials and on their social media channels.{{Cite press release |title=ABC Head of Music opening statement to Inquiry into the challenges and opportunities within the Australian live music industry |date=30 July 2024 |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |url=https://www.abc.net.au/about/media-centre/statements-and-responses/abc-opening-statement-to-live-music-inquiry/104159658 |access-date=13 November 2024}}

Triple J's programming approach was copied by succeeding commercial stations. Notably, Nova, who had also branded themselves as a competitor youth station, had a "clearly borrowed" catalogue from Triple J, but was slightly more conservative with its song selections.{{Cite journal|last=Wilson|first=Christopher Kane|date=2015|title=Frequently modulating: Australian radio's relationship with youth|url=https://researchbank.swinburne.edu.au/file/3212ec65-9095-4d06-a36c-6f84a4996c07/1/Christopher%20Wilson%20Thesis.pdf|journal=Swinburne Thesis Collection|pages=248–254|via=Swinburne University}}

Former Australian Recording Industry Association staffer Danny Yau said that Triple J's nationalisation from the early 1990s created a new role for local community radio stations, particularly Sydney's FBi and Melbourne's 3RRR, to fill the broadcaster's gaps with more niche regional content.{{Cite web|last=Green|first=Stephen|date=26 September 2022|title=New Podcast Tackles Triple J Going National & 90s Alt Culture|url=https://themusic.com.au/news/new-podcast-tackles-triple-j-going-national-90s-alt-culture/1MPMxsnIy8o/26-09-22|access-date=18 December 2024|website=The Music}}

• List of radio stations in Australia
• BBC Radio 6 Music, British alternative music station
• CBC Radio 3, Canadian indie music station
• FM4, Austrian youth broadcaster
• MDR Sputnik, German youth broadcaster
• Mouv', French youth broadcaster

{{Notelist|group=lower-alpha}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://www.abc.net.au/triplej}} – includes live audio streaming of the station's broadcast, as well as archives of recent editions of shows.
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20050620151152/http://conferences.arts.usyd.edu.au/viewpaper.php?id=118&print=1&cf=3 Conference paper: Fandom, Triple J and the Unearthed competition: a regional perspective] by Kate Ames, Central Queensland University
• [http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/30years/ Triple J's 30th Anniversary webpage] featuring historical information about key events in the station's history as well as vintage audio and video
• [http://www.jplay.com.au Jplay] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210202720/https://jplay.com.au/ |date=10 February 2021 }} JJJ Playlists
• [http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/about/faqs.htm Link to Triple J frequency finder]
• [http://www.pias.com/blog/meet-team-triple-j/ Meet the Team : Triple-J] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150428071253/http://www.pias.com/blog/meet-team-triple-j/ |date=28 April 2015 }} – [PIAS]'s Blog, 18 March 2015

{{triple j|state=expanded}}

{{Australian Broadcasting Corporation}}

{{ABC Radio and Regional Content}}

{{National radio networks in Australia}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:APRA Award winners

Category:Australian comedy

Category:Australian radio networks

Category:Public radio in Australia

Category:Radio stations established in 1975

Category:1975 establishments in Australia