WCMH NBC 4 News at Sunrise on January 1, 1997
Craig’s notes
A blank Maxell label gave me no hint that this would turn into a Columbus morning-news recording. It opens onto NBC News at Sunrise on WCMH, with local weather, national stories and the ads still in place. A Buckeyes versus Sun Devils Rose Bowl promo helps pin the broadcast to New Year's Day 1997.
The news moves between an ice-fishing incident in Minnesota, a Kansas shooting and JonBenét Ramsey. I noticed an odd cut along the way. I couldn't tell whether it happened on the live broadcast or on the recording, so I'm not going to give the tape a dramatic explanation it didn't give me. There's a local Red Cross blood-drive promotion at Westland and a Once Upon a Child ad for Columbus and Lancaster too. Those Columbus details are what made the unlabeled tape suddenly feel very specific.
Content inventory
Shows and segments (playback order)
- NBC News at Sunrise on WCMH NBC 4: January 1, 1997 identification in canonical playback notes. Minnesota ice-fishing incident, Kansas shooting, JonBenét Ramsey coverage, weather with a presenter called Joe; unusual cut of uncertain origin.
Commercial inventory
NBC News at Sunrise / WCMH
- SlimFast
- NyQuil
- Visa Check Card with Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck
- Cadillac Eldorado with buffalo
- AT&T elevator spot
- Sleepinal
- Ocean Spray Ruby Red and Tangerine
- Cream of Wheat Kitchen banana-nut-bread hot cereal
- Bayer aspirin
- Healthy Choice microwave dishes
- Sleepinal, longer repeat
- Once Upon a Child, Columbus and Lancaster
Station and show promos
NBC News at Sunrise / WCMH
- Buckeyes versus Sun Devils Rose Bowl promotion
- NBC 4 and American Red Cross blood drive at Westland
Tape details
- Archive ID: VHS-2026-476
- Format: VHS; off-air home recording.
- Viewing: 2026-08-02. Playback completed; an apparent cut of uncertain origin occurs during the news.
- Label: No handwritten label; Maxell HGX-Gold T-120 sleeve and tape.
