It started as the audio feed of a channel-6 "Franken-FM" television station in New York City, audible on traditional FM radios at 87.7, before moving solely to streaming online.

The brand was formerly owned and operated by Mega Media, which it operated under a leasing deal with WNYZ-LP, broadcasting at 87.7 (channel 6), with plans to expand the format to other cities only to incur financial losses and disputes over the business arrangements, leading to the station's demise in 2009.

In February 2010, the format was resurrected as an online non-profit Internet station under new management following the bankruptcy and liquidation of its former owner.

On June 24, 2014, LKCM Broadcasting, the owners of KYLI in Las Vegas, adopted the "Pulse 87" brand, replacing the interactive Jelli format it had used since 2011.

On October 24, 2014, Metro Radio announced that its FM translator, W249BE Alexandria, Virginia, would become the second station to adopt the Pulse 87 brand.