Abstract: An apparatus usable by a broadcasting station for reading and writing information from and to a time code track of a recording medium such as a magnetic tape. Such information may include identification (ID) information representative of a respective broadcasting station and control information utilized for controlling the transmission of data recorded on the tape. The reading of the ID and control information may be performed while the tape travels at a speed greater than a normal playback speed. As a result, ID and control information recorded on a tape may be detected in a relatively short time. The recorded ID and control information may be easily rewritten so as to provide information pertaining to another broadcasting station.