Yeah this was hugely common in the UK, as you could fit 8 hours of Nicam digital stereo on a VHS tape at long play, for your license obligations. And as a bonus

Yeah this was hugely common in the UK, as you could fit 8 hours of Nicam digital stereo on a VHS tape at long play, for your license obligations. And as a bonus the security cameras as well if you need it. All using readily available consumer gear with built-in timer. It would wear out every year or so. Some stations used the same VHS trick as a play out system to cover overnights as well. I recall one of the problems is the fire hazard of keeping 8 weeks or so of tapes.