Triple J sensationally pulled its popular Hottest 100 countdown from Australia Day amid controversy.
But now Triple M has moved in to fill the void, with its own ‘Ozzest 100’ music countdown – and its sparked huge debate over whether it should be played on the famous date.
An email to Triple M subscribers reportedly read: “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 J made the decision to move its Hottest 100 – the largest music poll in the world – to January 27, one day after Australia Day, after carrying out a survey on 65,000 listeners, with 60 per cent saying they wanted it moved.
The decision was made to respect those who don’t celebrate on the day.
However, Triple M has vowed to fill the gap with its own take on the countdown.
According to news.com.au, Triple M’s ‘Ozzest 100’ wants to “include all the songs that define Australian music” and the email added: “We don’t care about a Top 40 chart position, who wrote it or even awards, it’s just got to be Aussie”.
The announcement was met with wide debate on social media, with many criticising the decision.
One Twitter user wrote: “I don’t understand the point of Triple M doing a top 100 is anyway. Surely ‘Angel in a Centerfold’ gets old after the first 99 times?”
While one added: “Triple M doing a little cash in on “patriotism” staging its own hottest 100. Stomach curdling.”
And one wrote: “Triple M are absolute scumbags. What a low blow push for listeners and money.”
However, others praised the move, and responding to one critic, another listener wrote on Twitter: “Na, It doesn’t. Just putting back what never should have been taken away. Well done #TripleM , shall be listening while I’m enjoying #AustraliaDay with a beer and a snag.”
And one added: “I supported Triple J’s decision to move the #Hottest100 based on the wishes of their listeners. But if Triple M want to have a Hottest 100 for Australia Day, also catered for their listeners, surely they should be able to do so?”