Triple M
| File:Triple M logo.svg | |
| Company type | Commercial radio network |
|---|---|
| Industry | Broadcasting, Radio |
| Founded | August 2, 1980 in Sydney, Australia |
Area served | Australia |
| Products | Radio broadcasting (mainstream rock, classic rock, modern adult contemporary, adult hits), digital radio channels |
| Owner | Southern Cross Austereo |
| Website | www |
Triple M represents an Australian commercial radio network under the ownership of Southern Cross Austereo. It consists of 45 stations, including flagship outlets in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane that broadcast a mainstream and classic rock format. Additionally, there are 37 regional stations delivering modern adult contemporary and adult hits, alongside 5 digital radio channels.
The network's origins trace back to the launch of Triple M Sydney in 1980. On 15 December 2016, it integrated with the LocalWorks regional network.
History
The very first station, Triple M Sydney, commenced broadcasting on 2 August 1980, becoming one of Sydney’s pioneering commercial FM stations alongside 2Day FM. Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Triple M maintained a leading audience share, largely driven by its morning program hosted by Doug Mulray and featuring contributions from Andrew Denton. Its branding incorporated "Dr Dan," a guitar-playing persona inspired by the Australian illustrator Peter Ledger.
In 1988, Melbourne’s EON FM (3EON), which had been Australia’s initial commercial FM station since July 1980, was purchased and rebranded as Triple M, shifting to the 105.1 MHz frequency. Brisbane's Triple M originated as FM104 in 1980 but reverted to the Triple M name in 1990 on 104.5 FM. Adelaide’s 5KA transitioned from AM to FM (104.7 MHz) in 1990 under the name KAFM, later adopting the 5MMM callsign in 1993 following acquisition by Village Roadshow. Perth’s 96FM briefly adopted the Triple M identity and callsign during the early 1990s before returning to its original branding under Southern Cross Broadcasting. Up until December 2020, Mix 94.5 in Perth operated with local content aligned with Triple M but did not use the Triple M brand.
Between 1984 and 1988, Auckland, New Zealand hosted a Triple M station identified by callsign 1MMM before reverting to its prior branding until closure in 1994.
Although numerous comedy and talk programs are networked across stations, a significant portion of Triple M’s music content remains locally produced.
Marketing campaigns have included a one-day transformation into U2FM in November 2006 coinciding with U2’s Australian tour and the creation of High Voltage Radio in 2010—a digital channel dedicated exclusively to AC/DC during their touring period.
Triple M broadened its digital presence with the introduction of Triple M Perth digital radio in August 2013 featuring AFL broadcasts; this was succeeded by Triple M Modern Rock Digital in September 2014, which also expanded into Adelaide. In November 2013, Triple M Classic Rock Digital was unveiled, concentrating solely on classic rock without presenter commentary.
On 1 December 2020, the Triple M brand was reintroduced in Perth, replacing Hit 92.9 following Mix 94.5's transition to the Hit Network.
Stations
As of , the Triple M network includes 40 AM and FM stations throughout Australia, covering major urban centres such as:
- Triple M 104.7 Adelaide
- Triple M 104.5 Brisbane
- Mix 106.3 Canberra
- Triple M 105.1 Melbourne
- Triple M 102.9 Newcastle
- Triple M 92.9 Perth
- Triple M 104.9 Sydney
Numerous regional outlets serve key locations including Bendigo, Cairns, Central Queensland, Gold Coast, Hobart, Mackay & The Whitsundays, Riverina, Townsville, among others.
Digital radio
Triple M extends its reach on DAB+ digital radio by offering six specialized stations aimed at distinct listener segments, each featuring unique programming formats:
| Years | Station | Format | Availability | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013–2016, 2017–present | Triple M Classic Rock | Classic rock | Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart | |
| 2021–present | Triple M 80s | 1980s music | Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide | Previously known as Triple M Soft Rock (2019–2021) and Triple M Aussie (2019) |
| 2023–present | Triple M Tradie Radio | 1990s music, 2000s music | Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart | Previously operated as Triple M 90s (2020–2023) and Triple M Greatest Hits (2017–2020) |
| 2022–present | Triple M 2000s | 2000s music | Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide | Formerly Triple M Hard n Heavy (2019–2022); Hard N Heavy transitioned to the LiSNTR internet platform |
| 2018–present | Triple M Country | Country music | Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart | Previously branded as The Range (2012–2018) |
| 2023–present | Triple M Almost Acoustic | Acoustic music | Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane |
Southern Cross Austereo holds a joint ownership stake in Mix 106.3 Canberra alongside the Australian Radio Network, incorporating it into the Triple M family while ARN primarily manages it under its KIIS Network banner.
M-One Rock festival
In September 2002, Frontier Touring and Triple M collaborated to present the M-One festival—a series of four rock concerts staged in Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney. The lineup included prominent bands such as Goo Goo Dolls, Nickelback, Garbage, Lifehouse, Default, Midnight Oil, and Antiskeptic.
Essential Countdown
Since its inception in 2006, Triple M has hosted an annual Essential Countdown determined by listener votes. The countdown features a number of songs corresponding to the year—such as 2006 tracks in 2006—and takes place each October. This event has attracted some criticism for bearing resemblance to the Triple J Hottest 100, which exclusively showcases music released within the prior year.
Australian Football League
AFL coverage on Triple M Melbourne commenced in 1997 following the acquisition of broadcast rights. This expanded to include Triple M Adelaide in 1999; later extending to Triple M Sydney and Triple M Brisbane in 2005; and reaching Triple M Perth by 2021. Regional affiliates also contribute to coverage. The commentary team for the 2024 season encompasses a broad array of commentators, analysts, boundary reporters, and journalists:
Commentators consist of James Brayshaw, Brian Taylor, Luke Darcy, Mark Howard, Nathan Brown, Leigh Montagna among others across various regions.
Analysts include Jason Dunstall, Nathan Brown, Dale Thomas, Leigh Montagna, Kate McCarthy, Isaac Smith, Steve Johnson, Luke Darcy; statisticians Ash Chua and Ethan Meldrum; former players Billy Brownless, Chris Johnson; Sarah Hosking; Josh Bruce; Jude Bolton (NSW/VIC); Troy Luff (NSW); Simon Black (QLD); Richard Champion (QLD); Bernie Vince (SA/VIC); Shaun Burgoyne (SA); Mark Ricciuto (SA); Dom Cassisi (SA); Erin Phillips (SA); Tom Jonas (SA); Taylor Walker (SA); Andrew Embley (WA); Xavier Ellis (WA); and statistician Mark Cometti (WA).
Boundary correspondents feature Nat Yoannidis, Michael Roberts, Jay Clark, Abbey Holmes, Ruby Schleicher, Alex Bryant; 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); and Andy Taylor (TAS).
Journalists include Damian Barrett serving as Chief AFL Media correspondent; Jay Clark from Herald Sun AFL reporting; and Nat Yoannidis representing Channel 9 sports coverage.
Triple M stands as the exclusive commercial FM broadcaster for AFL matches in Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, and Sydney. Its programming emphasizes local teams such as the Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns in Brisbane; the Sydney Swans and GWS Giants in Sydney; alongside local clubs in Adelaide and Perth plus neutral fixtures. Renowned for an informal approach that fuses humor with live commentary action, Triple M uniquely provides listeners with access to umpire microphones during games. The station’s signature theme is TISM’s ‘Shut Up the Footy’s on the Radio,’ frequently aired near commercial breaks.
National Rugby League
In October 2006, Triple M Sydney was appointed as the exclusive commercial broadcaster for Monday Night Rugby league fixtures beginning in 2007 by the National Rugby League. The coverage kicked off on 19 March with the opening round clash between the Sydney Roosters and South Sydney Rabbitohs. Currently, Triple M airs five matches each round, covering fixtures on Thursday and Friday evenings, weekend games on Saturday and Sunday, all Finals encounters, as well as every State of Origin contest.
The broadcast team includes prominent personalities such as Andrew Johns, Peter Sterling, Dan Ginnane, Gorden Tallis, Ryan Girdler, Wendell Sailor, Mark Geyer, Emma Lawrence, Tony Squires, Paul Kent, Ben Dobbin, Brent Read, and James Hooper.
Cricket Australia
Triple M delivered live Twenty20 cricket action in 2009 featuring the Australian Cricket Team, South African Cricket Team, and New Zealand Cricket Team. Commentators for these broadcasts included Damien Fleming, Stuart MacGill, Greg Blewett, and Brendan Julian.
In December 2016, Triple M made history as the first FM station to broadcast test cricket, with commentary provided by figures such as James Brayshaw, Kerry O'Keeffe, Michael Slater, and Brett Lee. However, by May 2018, the station opted not to renew its agreement with Cricket Australia, resulting in the suspension of cricket coverage. In August 2021, Triple M announced its return to airing Test Cricket and One Day Internationals for a three-year period starting from the 2021/22 season, which includes coverage of the Ashes Series.