This book explores the literary and cultural history behind certain Christmas and Halloween traditions, and examines the way that they have moved into broadcasting. It demonstrates how these horror traditions have become more domestic and personal, and how they provide a necessary seasonal pause for reflection on our fears.

Derek Johnston is Lecturer in Broadcast Literacy at Queen's University, Belfast, UK. His research focuses on British broadcasting history and on the history of genres such as science fiction and horror, particularly where the two combine.

Introduction: Defining Television Gothic
1. The British Ghost Story at Christmas
2. A Broadcast Tradition
3. Irruptions of the Abnormal
4. Seasonality, Nostalgia, Heritage and History
5. The Ghost Story for Christmas and 'Treehouse of Horror'