Hot AC WEPN-FM (TJ 98.7) in New York, known as “Pop Up Radio,” will cease operations on Friday, January 10, after a four-month broadcast. Launched on August 31 by Emmis Communications in partnership with United Stations and media consultant Mike McVay, the station served as a promotional platform for “The TJ Show,” hosted by TJ Taormina.

Originally designed as a temporary setup while Emmis searched for a long-term operator or buyer, TJ 98.7 featured a mix of music and talk segments, primarily showcasing “The TJ Show” during morning and afternoon time slots. The operation relied on several vendor services including the automation platform Radio.cloud and voice talent from Steve Kamer, who was also featured in promos.

Mike McVay, together with his daughter Jai Kershner, who previously co-hosted the “Good Day Show with Doug Stephan & Jai Kershner,” managed the station’s music programming. Jai also took on midday hosting duties and contributed as a secondary imaging voice.

The station, operating from the frequency formerly held by ESPN Radio WEPN-FM, highlighted its technical achievements by employing Radio.cloud’s cloud-based radio playout studio and programming suite. This technology facilitated a rapid launch and reduced hardware costs, allowing for more localized content.

The closure of the pop-up station will happen at 6pm this Friday, with a hint for the audience to “stay tuned to hear what’s next.”