entertainment

HECK YES: Triple J is changing the date of the Hottest 100 from Australia Day.

Public radio broadcaster, Triple J, has made the long awaited decision to move their popular Hottest 100 countdown from Australia Day in 2018.

The countdown, which celebrates the top 100 songs from the past year as voted by their listeners, will neat year move from Friday the 26th of January, to Saturday the 27th of January.

The move comes after much debate surrounding support to change the date of Australia Day, which is known as ‘Invasion Day’ to Indigenous Australians.

“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,” Triple J wrote in an article published on Monday afternoon.

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“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 – for both the musicians whose songs make it in and for everyone listening in Australia and around the world. This is really important to us.

“Whether you’re listening in Busselton, Bundy, Alice or Aspen. From Coober Pedy to Caz’s pool, tuning in from a backyard BBQ or streaming from overseas, in the city or on the farm; everyone is invited to join the party.”

LISTEN: Check out Mamamia Out Loud’s guide top pretending like you have a clue who anyone on the Hottest 100 list is (post continues after audio…)

The decision to change the date of the Hottest 100 countdown wasn’t made lightly – Triple J and the ABC surveyed 64,990 people as to whether they would like to see the countdown’s date moved from Australia Day.

An independent research company found that 60 per cent of those surveyed were in favour of the move.

As for us? We couldn’t be happier.

You can find out more about the 2018 Hottest 100 on Triple J’s website.