After weeks of speculation and all-out war between keyboard warriors of all stripes on social media, last week triple j finally confirmed that the next Hottest 100 countdown would be held on Australia Day.
The news came in response to a growing campaign to see the date of the annual broadcast, typically billed as the world’s biggest fan-voted music poll, changed from Australia / Invasion Day to show solidarity with Austalia’s First Nation peoples.
Whilst the upcoming Hottest 100 will take place on Australia Day, the national youth broadcaster made it clear that its status on that date is “under review” and could change in the future. According to triple j’s content director, they already have a date in mind.
Speaking to The Guardian, Ollie Ward said New Year’s Day “would be a really good strong contender”, though he acknowledged the fact that the countdown would end up competing with the growing number of NYD festivals such as Field Day.
“There’s [been] a lot of comments about how we’re doing things for the minority – ‘Oh, you know, this is because of a small minority; think about us, the majority’ – but I think that sometimes the majority has to stand up for the minority,” said Wards of the controversy.
“[Moving the Hottest 100] might not be the most popular decision but when people have a little bit of empathy for those in the minority, hopefully they’ll realise that there’s something broader and more important than the particular day that they want to do this cool thing.”
“If it moves day, we hope that people can come with us.” Upon announcing next year’s date, triple j reaffirmed its partnership with AIME, an Indigenous education charity for whom triple j raised over $100k earlier this year.
Wards did not offer up his own opinion about the change, instead explaining that his job is to “weigh up two political decisions” whilst working within the guidelines of the ABC and triple j, and making the choice with “the best net positive outcome”.
