The mystery surrounding the future of Emmis Corporation’s 98.7 FM in New York City with the expiration of its deal with Good Karma Brands appears to have another clue. The station has started stunting Hot AC music with imaging identifying the signal as TJ98.7.
As previously reported by Radio Ink, Good Karma Brands did not renew their Local Marketing Agreement that put ESPN New York on WEPN. They instead opted to lease the WCBS-AM signal from Audacy, leading to the storied All-News station’s format flip at 12:01a on August 26.
WEPN hosted ESPN New York for more than a decade, with a lease rate of around $12.5 million in its last contract.
As for the station’s “TJ” namesake, that comes from former Z100 morning alum TJ Taormina. The temporary, “pop up” format comes as United Stations Radio Network promotes his syndicated TJ Show which will be featured on the signal. Other contributing voices to the station include Jai Kershner and voiceover talent Steve Kamer.
The apparent launch of TJ 98.7 will likely not affect Emmis’ quest to sell the signal. The company previously noted that ESPN would be replaced on 98.7 by a music format while they shop for a buyer. Estimates put the value of the signal at around $50 million.
Radio Ink are beautiful people.
They let you post how you feel.
I love Mike Miller.
I agree with him. He is right.
I love Mike Miller.
I agree with him.
Why do they have talk stations on FM ? WBAI, NPR
They take away the Alt Rock, and they have boring
stations on FM. There are channels on FM, and
AM. Why is that fair ?
Bring back the old Kiss FM from the 70’s-very early 90’s(pre 1993) or the old Hot 97(pre Hip Hop) or the old 92.3 KTU during the Paco era (Disco, Post Disco, 80’s electronic , 80’s R&B, early Freestyle/House)
They could go Classic R&B after the interim Hot AC format tbh. TJ 98.7 may not even compete with NEW 102.7 anyways (if it is a temporary format) or they may be a temporary competitor until they change the format of their station even as an interim format.
Jack Parsons is right. We need
Alt rock station. It is a joke.
Here is a golden opportunity for an over the air ALTERNATIVE ROCK station, not a Top 40 / HIP HOP / JPOP / KPOP station in NYC
They might try that…
Made no sense when they removed Alt 92.3 , who needs to hear News in stereo?Bring back Wrxp or a Alt station.
Apparently some people seem to like it as it’s a 4.3 in the 6+. They probably are doing well in some demos. Btw 98.7 could go alternative due to the hole in the market or country. Who knows but Alternative probably more likely than country considering the NYC market.
We needed another hot ac like we needed a hole in the head! Country or Metv FM woulda made more sense!
Something different than rap,hip-hop or Top40…..
But this is NYC, the most boring Fm radio dial on earth
They apparently have like 3 hip hop satiations already… one Classic 2 current based. Seattle on the other hand, only had one Classic one.
And KTU plays some hip hop too.
Seems to be playing a lot of the same music as WNEW. Realized the station was in NYC and not Buffalo. lol