Double J (radio station)
| Company type | Digital radio broadcaster |
|---|---|
| Industry | Broadcasting, Radio |
| Predecessor | Dig Music |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Headquarters | Australia , Australia |
Area served | Australia (online streaming and DAB+ network) |
| Owner | Australian Broadcasting Corporation |
| Website | www |
Double J is an Australian digital radio broadcaster operated by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. As a counterpart to the youth-centric Triple J, it was originally established in 2002 under the name Dig Music. The station caters to a mature audience by offering a sophisticated music selection alongside archival material sourced from Triple J. It is accessible via online streaming and transmits through Australia's DAB+ network.
Dig Music (2002–2014)
ABC Dig Music commenced broadcasting in November 2002, building upon programming styles developed at ABC Coast FM that emphasized an adult alternative music format. It formed part of a trio of digital channels, which also included Dig Jazz and Dig Country. Additionally, select shows from ABC Local Radio, ABC Radio National, and Triple J were incorporated into the Dig Music schedule.
In July 2009, these stations underwent rebranding to ABC Dig Music, ABC Jazz, and Country respectively, aligning with the national rollout of digital radio services.
Double J (2014–present)
On 24 October 2013, operational control of ABC Dig Music was transferred to Triple J staff, who announced plans for a relaunch by April 2014 aimed at an older demographic with fresh music content and archival Triple J programming.
The station was officially renamed "Double J" and relaunched on 30 April 2014 at 12:00 PM AEST. This new identity pays tribute to Triple J’s original call sign, 2JJ. Former Triple J presenter Myf Warhurst became the inaugural on-air host for weekday afternoons. Manager Chris Scaddan described Double J as merging Triple J’s legacy—including its name, presenters, and archive—with contemporary music offerings.
Prior to the relaunch, Double J engaged in a stunt by continuously playing 13 different versions of N.W.A.'s "Express Yourself," referencing a 1990 industrial dispute related to Triple J’s censorship of "Fuck tha Police."
The launch event took place live at Melbourne’s Calvin Club, hosted by Warhurst and simultaneously broadcast on Triple J. Performances by Paul Dempsey and Kate Miller-Heidke introduced the station’s new programming lineup.
On 19 January 2015, Double J commemorated Triple J’s 40th anniversary with Beat the Drum Again, a special broadcast day featuring veteran presenters such as Mikey Robins, Helen Razer, and Angela Catterns. The event included rebroadcasts of Triple J’s inaugural hour as well as Midnight Oil’s iconic 1985 "Oils on the Water" concert recorded on Goat Island.
Petition for expansion
In March 2022, a collective of female Australian singer-songwriters appealed to federal communications minister Paul Fletcher and shadow communications minister Michelle Rowland to allocate an FM licence to Double J. This would enable the station to extend its reach into regional parts of Australia.
Notable artists including Missy Higgins, Kasey Chambers, Kate Miller-Heidke, Sarah Blasko, Vikki Thorn, and Deborah Conway pointed out the disparity in FM airplay between aging female musicians and their male peers. They also noted the absence of an FM station dedicated to female artists comparable to male-oriented outlets like Triple M. While acknowledging Double J’s support for new music from women over 30, they criticized its "severely limited" broadcast coverage. To advocate for broader access via an FM licence, they initiated a petition on Change.org.
Shadow ministers Rowland and Tony Burke expressed support for transitioning Double J onto FM frequencies, viewing it as advantageous for Australian music culture. They committed that if elected in the 2022 Australian federal election, they would engage with the ABC and the ACMA, as well as consult musicians on this matter; however, no definitive promises were made.
During the campaign at the Byron Bay Bluesfest, opposition leader Anthony Albanese pledged that his party would commission a feasibility study on expanding Double J’s presence into regional areas if elected. Albanese remarked: "I want more people in regional Australia to experience the joy I have of listening to Double J, singing along to songs they love or maybe discovering something new."
Programs and presenters
By 2025, Double J's schedule features the following shows:
- Mornings: presented by Michael Hing, with Zan Rowe hosting on Fridays
- Lunch: hosted by Karen Leng
- Arvos: presented by Dylan Lewis
- Weekend Mornings: hosted by Yumi Stynes
- Weekend Arvos: led by Caz Tran
- Block Party: a program dedicated to hip hop; hosted by Hau Latukefu
- Short Fast Loud: focusing on punk, hardcore, metal, and alternative genres; hosted by Josh Merriel
- Tower of Song: featuring interviews with prominent songwriters; hosted by Henry Wagons
- Sky High: showcasing soul, funk, r&b, and hip hop tracks; presented by Hau Latukefu
- Classic Albums: highlighting influential albums that have shaped contemporary music; hosted by Caz Tran
- The J Files: airing music documentaries originally broadcast on Triple J between 1996 and 2007; hosted by Caz Tran
Additionally, Double J broadcasts archival material from Triple J, including performances from Live at the Wireless.
Richard Kingsmill, who served as Triple J's long-standing music director, was the host of The Funhouse on Double J from 2016 until 2023. This specialized program produced over 350 episodes and was accessible as a podcast via ABC Listen and Spotify.
Awards
Zan Rowe’s podcast Take 5 received the Gold award for Best Radio Podcast at the 2020 Australian Podcast Awards, while Inside The Big Day Out achieved Silver in the Best Documentary Podcast category.