View source for Triple M

{{Short description|Australian commercial radio network}}
{{about|the Australian radio station|other uses|MMM (disambiguation){{!}}MMM|and|3M (disambiguation){{!}}3M|and|Triple M (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2014}}
{{Use Australian English|date=November 2014}}
{{Infobox radio network
| name           = Triple M
| logo           = Triple M logo.svg
| logo_alt       =
| logo caption   = 
| image          = 
| image_size     = 
| image_alt      = 
| caption        = 
| format         = {{ubl|[[Mainstream rock]]}} (major cities)<br>[[Modern adult contemporary]]/[[Adult hits]] (regional)
| country        = Australia
| market_share   = 
| revenue        = 
| net_income     = 
| headquarters   = [[South Melbourne]], Victoria
| broadcast_area = Australia
| owner          = [[Southern Cross Austereo]]
| launch_date    = {{start date and age|1980}}
| webcast        = 
| website        = {{URL|triplem.com.au}}
| language       = English
| replaced       =  
}}

'''Triple M''' is an Australian [[commercial radio]] network owned and operated by [[Southern Cross Austereo]]. The network consists of 45 radio stations with flagship stations broadcasting a [[Mainstream rock|mainstream]]/[[classic rock]] music format in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, 37 regional stations broadcasting a [[modern adult contemporary]]/[[adult hits]] format and 5 [[Digital radio in Australia|digital radio]] stations.

The network dates back to the launch of [[Triple M Sydney]] in 1980. On 15 December 2016, the network was amalgamated with the LocalWorks network of regional radio stations.<ref>{{cite news |title=SCA to rebrand regional to Hit and Triple M |url=https://radiotoday.com.au/sca-to-rebrand-regional-to-hit-and-triple-m/ |work=Radio Today (Australia) |date=20 September 2016}}</ref>

==History==
{{further|Triple M Sydney|Southern Cross Austereo}}
The first Triple M station was [[Triple M Sydney]], which commenced broadcasting to Sydney on 2 August 1980.  [[Triple M Sydney]] and then-rival [[2Day FM]] were the first commercial [[FM broadcasting|FM]] radio stations in Sydney. Throughout the 1980s, Triple M was one of the highest-rating radio stations in Sydney, spearheaded by its morning show presented by [[Doug Mulray]] and featuring the writing of and occasional appearances by [[Andrew Denton]]. For all of this period and into the 1990s, Triple M's promotional campaign featured the character "Dr Dan", a [[guitar]]-playing [[satyr]] with wings, inspired by artwork by legendary Australian cartoonist Peter Ledger, and a theme song that was an extended reworking of the [[Mike Batt]] track "Introduction (The Journey of a Fool)", from his 1979 album ''[[Tarot Suite]]''.

In 1988, [[Melbourne]] radio station [[Triple M Melbourne|EON FM]] (3EON), 92.3 was taken over by Triple M and changed its callsign to Triple M and moved to 105.1&nbsp;MHz in November 1988. EON FM was Australia's first commercial FM radio station, commencing broadcasting on 11 July 1980.

[[Brisbane]] radio station [[Triple M Brisbane]] was launched in 1980 and took on the FM104 identity soon after. It returned to the Triple M identity in early 1990. Its callsign has remained 4MMM since its 1980 launch. Triple M Brisbane started broadcasting on 104.1FM, then late in the 1980s changed to its present frequency of 104.5-FM.

[[Adelaide]] radio station [[Triple M Adelaide|5KA]] converted from 1197 [[kilohertz|kHz]] to 104.7 [[megahertz|MHz]] on 1 January 1990 and was renamed KAFM (5KKA). The station was taken over by [[Village Roadshow]], who then owned Triple M, and they successfully negotiated the purchase of the 5MMM callsign from a community radio station in 1993. That station is now known as Three D Radio ([[Three D Radio|5DDD]]), and the 5MMM callsign is now used by Triple M Adelaide (104.7).

[[Perth]] radio station 96FM ([[96FM (Perth radio station)|6NOW]]) also carried the Triple M identity and 6MMM callsign in the early 1990s but was then sold to [[Southern Cross Austereo|Southern Cross Broadcasting]] who changed the station's identity back to its original name. [[Mix 94.5]] until December 2020 was "considered"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.austereo.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=61|title=SCA Corporate Website - Southern Cross Austereo|website=www.austereo.com.au|access-date=5 April 2018}}</ref> to be a part of the Triple M network in Perth utilising local programming (as opposed to airing networked Triple M programmes) and Mix 94.5 didn’t carry the Triple M brand, logo or call letters.

In [[Auckland]], [[New Zealand]], a Triple M station existed between 1984 and 1988 when [[89FM (Auckland)|89 Stereo FM]] became part of Triple M. The station previously used the call sign 1ROQ and changed to 1MMM when becoming part of Triple M. New Zealand no longer uses radio station call signs. This station later reverted to 89FM in 1988 and eventually closed down in 1994.<ref>{{cite web |title=Auckland / Manukau City |website=The Radio Vault |url=http://www.theradiovault.net/auckland.htm |access-date=2015-06-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724104148/http://www.theradiovault.net/auckland.htm |archive-date=24 July 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

While many of the comedy and talk programs are networked, large sections of music programming originate from the local market of each Triple M.

On Friday 17 November 2006, Triple M (including Mix 94.5 in Perth) referred to itself as [https://web.archive.org/web/20061119182548/http://www.mrock.com.au/u2fm/index.php U2FM] for the day, as part of a promotion relating to the band [[U2]] and their 2006 Australian Tour and CD release.

Triple M launched [[High Voltage Radio]], a "pop up" digital radio station that exclusively played [[AC/DC]] for the duration of the band's 2010 tour of Australia.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120418222555/http://www.perthnow.com.au/business/austereo-adds-fourth-digital-radio-band/story-e6frg2rc-1225828775823 Austereo Adds Fourth Digital Radio Band] - Perth Now, ''10 February 2010''</ref>

On 16 August 2013, Triple M Perth was launched on digital radio, returning the station to Perth. Branded as ''Perth's Real Music Alternative'', the station also carried Triple M [[Australian Football League|AFL]] coverage.<ref>{{cite news|title=Triple M Rocks Perth!|url=http://www.triplem.com.au/sydney/music/news/2013/8/triple-m-perth-announcement-august-16/|access-date=16 May 2015|work=[[Triple M Sydney]]|date=16 August 2013}}</ref> On 27 September 2014, the station was replaced by Triple M Modern Rock Digital. Featuring only new rock music, the station also expanded to Adelaide.<ref>{{cite news|title=Triple M Launches New Digital Radio Station|url=http://themusic.com.au/news/all/2014/09/26/triple-m-launches-new-digital-radio-station/|access-date=16 May 2015|work=theMusic.com.au|date=26 September 2014}}</ref>

On 25 November 2013, Triple M Classic Rock Digital radio station was launched.<ref>{{cite web|date=28 October 2013|title=Triple M Classic Rock Digital|url=http://www.triplem.com.au/sydney/music/news/2013/10/triple-m-classic-rock-station-to-launch-online-on-mobile-and-digital-radio/|work=Triple M|publisher=Southern Cross Austereo|access-date=30 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Hemphill|first=Brooke|date=30 October 2013|title=Triple M to launch digital channel|url=http://mumbrella.com.au/triple-m-launch-classic-rock-digital-channel-186927|work=Mumbrella|publisher=Focal Attractions|access-date=30 November 2013}}</ref> The station format is exclusively [[classic rock]], with no announcer talkback.

On 1 December 2020, the Triple M brand was [[Triple M Perth|relaunched in Perth]], replacing [[contemporary hit radio]] station Hit 92.9 after sister station Mix 94.5 switched affiliation to the [[Hit Network]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hoffman |first1=Lily |title=Perth radio shake up: New Triple M station, Xavier Ellis, Juelz Jarry and Pete Curulli breakfast show axed |url=https://thewest.com.au/business/media/perth-radio-shake-up-new-triple-m-station-xavier-ellis-juelz-jarry-and-pete-curulli-breakfast-show-axed-ng-b881724727z |access-date=23 November 2020 |work=The West Australian |date=18 November 2020}}</ref>

==Stations==
{{As of|2020|12|1}}, the Triple M network consists of 40 AM and FM radio stations.

* [[Triple M Adelaide|Triple M 104.7 Adelaide]]
* [[RadioWest#Stations|Triple M 783 Albany]]
* [[Spirit Radio Network#Frequencies|Triple M 864 Avon Valley]]
* [[Triple M Bendigo|Triple M 93.5 Bendigo]]
* [[Triple M The Border|Triple M 105.7 The Border]]
* [[Spirit Radio Network#Frequencies|Triple M 102.9 Broome]]
* [[Triple M Brisbane|Triple M 104.5 Brisbane]]
* [[Sea FM#Former Sea FM-branded stations|Triple M 93.1
Bundaberg]]
* [[Sea FM#Former Sea FM-branded stations|Triple M 99.5 Cairns]]
* [[Mix 106.3|Mix 106.3 Canberra]]
* [[Spirit Radio Network#Frequencies|Triple M Cape to Cape 756]]
* [[6LN|Triple M 666 Carnarvon]]
* [[Triple M Central Coast|Triple M 107.7 Central Coast]]
* [[Triple M Central Queensland|Triple M 101.5 Central Queensland]]
* [[Triple M Central West|Triple M 105.1 Central West]]
* [[RadioWest#Stations|Triple M 1098 Central Wheatbelt]]
* [[Triple M 106.3 Coffs Coast]]
* [[Triple M Darling Downs|Triple M 864 Darling Downs]]
* [[Triple M Dubbo|Triple M 93.5 Dubbo]]
* [[RadioWest#Stations|Triple M 747 Esperance]]
* [[4MBB|Triple M 103.5 Fraser Coast]]
* [[Spirit Radio Network#Frequencies|Triple M 98.1 Geraldton]]
* [[Triple M Gippsland|Triple M 97.9 Gippsland]]
* [[92.5 Triple M Gold|Triple M 92.5 Gold Coast]]
* [[RadioWest#Stations|Triple M 981 Goldfields]]
* [[Triple M Goulburn Valley|Triple M 95.3 Goulburn Valley]]
* [[RadioWest#Stations|Triple M 1071 Great Southern]]
* [[Triple M Hobart|Triple M 107.3 Hobart]]
* [[Spirit Radio Network#Frequencies|Triple M 102.5 Karratha]]
* [[5SE|Triple M 90.5 Limestone Coast]]
* [[Triple M Mackay & The Whitsundays|Triple M Mackay98.7 & 92.3The Whitsundays]]
* [[Triple M Melbourne|Triple M 105.1 Melbourne]]
* [[2PQQ|Triple M 106.7 Mid North Coast]]
* [[Triple M Newcastle|Triple M 102.9 Newcastle]]
* [[Triple M Perth|Triple M 92.9 Perth]]
* [[Spirit Radio Network#Frequencies|Triple M 94.1 Port Hedland]]
* [[Triple M Riverina|Triple M 1152 Riverina]]
* [[Triple M Riverina MIA|Triple M 963 Riverina MIA]]
* [[Triple M Southwest|Triple M 963 Southwest]]
* [[Triple M Sunraysia|Triple M 97.9 Sunraysia]]
* [[Triple M Sydney|Triple M 104.9 Sydney]]
* [[Triple M Townsville|Triple M 102.3 Townsville]]
* [[Triple M Gippsland|Triple M 94.3 Warragul]]
* [[Triple M WA|Triple M Remote WA]]

===Digital radio===
{{As of|2020|07|20}}, the Triple M network broadcasts an additional six radio stations on DAB+ digital radio.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Years
!Triple M station
!Format
!Availability
!History
|-
|2013–2016, 2017–present || Triple M Classic Rock || [[Classic rock]] || [[Sydney]], [[Melbourne]], [[Brisbane]], [[Adelaide]], [[Perth]] and [[Hobart]] ||
|-
|2021–present || Triple M 80s || [[1980s music]] || [[Sydney]], [[Melbourne]], [[Brisbane]] and [[Adelaide]]|| Formerly known as: <br> – Triple M Soft Rock (2019–2021) <br> – Triple M Aussie (2019) <br> – Triple M Modern Digital (2017–2019) <br> – Triple M Modern Rock (2014–2016) <br> – Triple M Perth (2013–2014)
|-
|2023–present || Triple M Tradie Radio || [[1990s music]], [[2000s music]] || [[Sydney]], [[Melbourne]], [[Brisbane]], [[Adelaide]], [[Perth]] and [[Hobart]] || Formerly known as: <br> – Triple M 90s (2020–2023) <br> – Triple M Greatest Hits (2017–2020) <br> – OMG! (2016–2017)
|-
|2022–present || Triple M 2000s || [[2000s music]] || [[Sydney]], [[Melbourne]], [[Brisbane]] and [[Adelaide]] || Formerly known as: <br> – Triple M Hard n Heavy (2019–2022) <p> Hard N Heavy was moved to the [[Southern Cross Austereo#Internet radio|LiSNTR]] internet radio platform.</p>
|-
|2018–present || Triple M Country || [[Country music]] || [[Sydney]], [[Melbourne]], [[Brisbane]], [[Adelaide]], [[Perth]] and [[Hobart]] || Formerly known as: <br> – The Range (2012–2018)
|-
|2023–present || Triple M Almost Acoustic || [[Acoustic music]] || [[Sydney]], [[Melbourne]], [[Brisbane]] || 
|-
|}

Southern Cross Austereo also owns [[Mix 106.3|Mix 106.3 Canberra]] along with the [[Australian Radio Network]], and is part of the Triple M network, although it is operated primarily by ARN as part of its [[KIIS Network]].

==Music==
===M-One Rock festival===
In September 2002, Triple M and Frontier Touring held four rock concerts in Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney as part of the touring M-One festival, which featured [[Goo Goo Dolls]], [[Nickelback]], [[Garbage (band)|Garbage]], [[Lifehouse (band)|Lifehouse]], [[Default (band)|Default]], [[Midnight Oil]] and [[Antiskeptic]].

===Essential Countdown===
{{unreferenced section|date=January 2017}}
In 2004, the national network counted down the Triple M Essential 2005 Songs from [[Boxing Day]] to [[Australia Day]]. The number one song was [[Violent Femmes]]' "[[Blister in the Sun]]".

Triple M have held an Essential Countdown based on listener votes since 2006, beginning in October of each year, counting the same number of songs as the year (e.g., 2006 songs in 2006). The countdown has received some criticism for being overly similar to the [[Triple J Hottest 100]] countdown, despite the [[Triple J Hottest 100]] only including songs from the preceding 12 months.

==Sports broadcasting==
===Australian Football League===
[[Triple M Melbourne]] first broadcast [[Australian Football League]] games in 1997 after securing broadcasting rights. In 1999 Triple M expanded its coverage to [[Triple M Adelaide]] followed by [[Triple M Sydney]] and [[Triple M Brisbane]] in 2005 and [[Triple M Perth]] in 2021 with regional stations around the country also having coverage. The 2024 coverage includes the following broadcasters:

'''Commentators'''

* [[James Brayshaw]]
* [[Brian Taylor (Australian footballer)|Brian Taylor]]
* [[Luke Darcy]]
* [[Mark Howard (broadcaster)|Mark Howard]]
* [[Nathan Brown (Australian footballer, born 1978)|Nathan Brown]]
* [[Leigh Montagna]]
* Jack Heverin
* Barry Denner
* Tim Solly
* Nigel Carmody
* Will Ralston
* Brenton Speed (NSW)
* [[Brad Seymour]] (NSW)
* Liam Flanagan (QLD)
* Brett Thomas (QLD)
* [[Richard Champion (footballer)|Richard Champion]] (QLD)
* [[Chris Dittmar]] (SA)
* Brenton Yates (SA)
* [[Rhett Biglands]] (SA)
* [[Mark Soderstrom]] (SA)
* Lachy Reid (WA)
* Ryan Daniels (WA)
* Tom Atkinson (WA)

'''Experts'''

* [[Jason Dunstall]]
* [[Nathan Brown (Australian footballer, born 1978)|Nathan Brown]]
* [[Dale Thomas (footballer)|Dale Thomas]]
* [[Leigh Montagna]]
* [[Kate McCarthy]]
* [[Isaac Smith (footballer)|Isaac Smith]]
* [[Steve Johnson (Australian footballer)|Steve Johnson]]
* [[Luke Darcy]]
* Ash Chua (statistician)
* [[Billy Brownless]]
* [[Chris Johnson (footballer, born 1976)|Chris Johnson]]
* [[Sarah Hosking]]
* [[Josh Bruce]]
* Ethan Meldrum (statistician)
* [[Jude Bolton]] (NSW, VIC)
* [[Troy Luff]] (NSW)
* [[Simon Black]] (QLD)
* [[Tom Rockliff]] (QLD)
* [[Richard Champion (footballer)|Richard Champion]] (QLD)
* [[Bernie Vince]] (SA, VIC)
* [[Shaun Burgoyne]] (SA)
* [[Mark Ricciuto]] (SA)
* [[Domenic Cassisi|Dom Cassisi]] (SA)
* [[Erin Phillips]] (SA)
* [[Tom Jonas]] (SA)
* [[Taylor Walker (footballer)|Taylor Walker]] (SA)
* [[Andrew Embley]] (WA)
* [[Xavier Ellis]] (WA)
* Mark Cometti (statistician, WA)

'''Boundary'''

* Nat Yoannidis
* [[Michael Roberts (footballer)|Michael Roberts]]
* Jay Clark
* [[Abbey Holmes]]
* [[Ruby Schleicher]]
* Alex Bryant
* [[The Rush Hour Triple M|Ryan 'Rabs' Warren]]
* [[Troy Luff]] (NSW)
* Justin Edwards (NSW)
* John Kehoe (NSW)
* Belinda Mellen (QLD)
* [[Rhett Biglands]] (SA)
* [[Tom Jonas]] (SA)
* [[Ebony Marinoff]] (SA)
* Mark Thomas (SA)
* Tom Atkinson (WA)
* Britt Taylor (WA)
* [[Hamish Brayshaw]] (WA)
* Andy Taylor (TAS)

'''Journalists'''

* [[Damian Barrett]] - Chief correspondent at AFL Media
* Jay Clark - AFL reporter at the Herald Sun
* Nat Yoannidis - Sports reporter at Channel 9

Triple M is the only commercial [[FM broadcasting|FM]] broadcasters of the AFL in Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane and Sydney (although only the local teams - the [[Brisbane Lions]] and [[Gold Coast Suns]] in Brisbane and [[Sydney Swans]] and [[Greater Western Sydney Giants|GWS Giants]] in Sydney respectively - are covered in the latter two cities with the local teams in Adelaide and Perth coverage in the two cities along with neutral games.) Triple M is best known for offering a less formal coverage than AM radio, providing listeners with a sense of comedy to the call while still calling the action. The station is the only radio station that provide listeners with the umpires microphones often heard on TV coverage. The [[TISM]] song ‘[[Shut Up – The Footy's on the Radio|Shut Up the Footy’s on the Radio]]’ the radio stations theme song and is often heard throughout the broadcast before and after ad breaks in games.

===National Rugby League===
In October 2006, the [[National Rugby League]] announced that beginning in 2007, Triple M Sydney would be the exclusive commercial broadcaster of Monday Night [[Rugby league]] matches. The coverage began on 19 March with the Round 1 match between the [[Sydney Roosters]] and [[South Sydney Rabbitohs]]. Currently, Triple M broadcast 5 games a round, a Thursday night, two Friday nights, a Saturday and a Sunday, all Finals and all State of Origin matches.

The commentary team includes the following:

[[Andrew Johns]], [[Peter Sterling (rugby league)|Peter Sterling]], Dan Ginnane, [[Gorden Tallis]], [[Ryan Girdler]], [[Wendell Sailor]], [[Mark Geyer]], Emma Lawrence, [[Tony Squires]], [[Paul Kent (journalist)|Paul Kent]], [[Ben Dobbin]], Brent Read and James Hooper.

===Cricket Australia===
In 2009, Triple M broadcast [[twenty20 cricket]] live between the [[Australian Cricket Team]], [[South African Cricket Team]] and the [[New Zealand Cricket Team]]. Commentators included [[Damien Fleming]], [[Stuart MacGill]], [[Greg Blewett]], and [[Brendan Julian]].

In December 2016, Triple M became the first FM radio station to broadcast test cricket. Commentators included [[James Brayshaw]], [[Kerry O'Keeffe]], [[Michael Slater]], [[Brett Lee]], [[Brad Haddin]], [[Merv Hughes]], [[Darren Berry]], [[Greig Pickhaver|H.G Nelson]], [[Julian Schiller|Jules Schiller]], [[Lawrence Mooney]], [[Gus Worland]], Neroli Meadows, [[Isa Guha]], [[Mick Molloy]] and [[Mark Howard (journalist)|Mark Howard]]. In May 2018, it was announced that Triple M will no longer broadcast cricket, after the station chose not to renew their contract with Cricket Australia.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-05-11|title=Triple M drops the cricket|url=https://www.radiotoday.com.au/triple-m-drops-the-cricket/|access-date=2021-07-11|website=Radio Today|language=en-AU}}</ref> However in August 2021, Triple M announced that they will return to broadcasting Test Cricket along with One Day Internationals played in the next three summers starting in the 2021/22 season which included the Ashes Series.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.triplem.com.au/}}
* [http://www.triplemclassicrock.com/ Triple M Classic Rock Digital]

{{Southern Cross Austereo}}
{{National radio networks in Australia}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Australian radio networks]]
[[Category:Active rock radio stations in Australia]]
[[Category:Adult contemporary radio stations in Australia]]
[[Category:1980 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1980]]
[[Category:Companies based in Melbourne]]