Triple J

Triple J is an Australian public service radio station owned by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). It aims to appeal to young listeners of alternative music, and plays far more Australian content than commercial networks. The station was set up under the Whitlam government to extend the appeal of the ABC to young Australians. 2JJ or Double Jay began broadcasting in Sydney on 19 January 1975. It stood apart from commercial stations and rapidly garnered an audience due to its fringe rock music programming and lack of advertising. Following a transition to FM in 1981, the station rebranded to 2JJJ or Triple J and expanded regionally throughout the 1990s. Two spin-off digital stations were launched in the 2010s: Double J targets more mature audiences and Triple J Unearthed only plays local unsigned musicians. Despite declining radio ratings, Triple J remains a dominant tastemaker in the Australian music scene and has been historically praised for making popular culture accessible for young people in regional Australia. Unearthed provides airplay opportunities for independent artists, and has helped launch the careers of celebrated Australian musicians. The network also organises its own festivals like One Night Stand, and the Hottest 100, an annual public poll of popular music. Triple J has long been criticised over its evolving sound and for promoting a homogenous music scene.