Triple J Has Just Killed Off The Hottest 100 Compilation CD

For the first time since 1994, triple j will not be releasing a Hottest 100 CD this year.

Following speculation from fans in recent weeks, it's been confirmed that the 2021 countdown will not be released via disc.

"Yes, we’ve bid a fond farewell to the Hottest 100 CD," a triple j spokesperson told The Music. "Instead, you can listen back to the Hottest 100 via triple j playlists on streaming services and keep an eye out for other physical releases in the future."

This year’s compilation would have marked Vol. 29, but the series now ends with last year’s CD, topped by Glass Animals’ Heat Waves.

The first Hottest 100 CD released featured the 1993 countdown, which saw Denis Leary’s Asshole take out the #1 spot.

The inaugural compilation also included tracks from Radiohead, The Cranberries, Rage Against The Machine, U2, REM, Stone Temple Pilots, Nirvana and more; quite a contrast to the artists who featured in this year’s countdown, which was topped by The Wiggles closely followed by The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber, Spacey Jane, Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish and more.

A recent report suggested CDs were making a comeback, with sales in the US rising for the first time in nearly 20 years.

Figures published by the Recording Industry Association of America reveal the format jumped from 31.6 million units in the US in 2020 to 46.6 million in 2021, with revenue reportedly at $US584.2 million, up from $US483.2 million. It's the first time since 2004 that the format has seen a boost.