This thesis examines forms of Gothic fiction on television, and defines the ways in which television produces Gothic drama which is medium-specific (e.g. formally distinct from versions of the genre in other media). This work employs a textual analysis to explore Gothic television, and combines this with archival research and an examination of the changing climate of television production in a range of national and historical contexts. The thesis is organised into four case studies, each dealing with different national industries during different periods: British anthology drama of the 1960s and 70s (e.g. Mystery and Imagination (ABC/Thames, 1966-70), Ghost Story for Christmas (BBC1, 1971-78)); Danish art television in the mid-nineties (Riget (Danmarks Radio/Zentropa, 1994)); British adaptations of female Gothic literature, (e.g. Rebecca (BBC2, 1979), The Wyvern Mystery (BBC1/The Television Production Company, 2000); and big-budget, effects-laden series from North America in the 1990s (e.g. American Gothic, CBS/Renaissance, 1995-96), Millennium (20th Century Fox/10:13, 1996-1999). I argue that Gothic television plays on the genre's inherent fascination with the domestic/familial, to produce television drama with an overt consciousness of the contexts in which the programmes are being viewed, a consciousness which is locatable within the text itself; as such, the thesis defines the Gothic as a genre which is well suited to presentation on television. Furthermore, an examination is offered of the 'model' viewer as presented within the television text, enabling an understanding of the ways in which conceptions of television viewership are inscribed into television drama at the moment of production. I also interrogate the notion that television is an 'uncanny' medium by locating the precise sources of uncanniness with Gothic television, and delineate the ways in which innovations in television production have been showcased through the representation of the supernatural and the uncanny with Gothic Television.

The present study is a long term structural analysis of how broadcasting systems develop and change. The analysis focuses primarily on the establishment and development of public service television in Britain and Norway, and combines two different approaches: broadcasting policy studies and historical analysis. The study has been based mainly on documentary sources: Official publications, comments on broadcasting policy from various groups and interested parties, and material published by the two broadcasting corporations (the BBC and the NRK). The study has produced results on two levels: Firstly, it has identified a series of similar processes and alliances in the two countries in connection with the establishment and development of broadcasting systems. Secondly, it has produced detailed results regarding the present crisis for public broadcasting in the two countries. The study has demonstrated that while the privileges of the BBC and the NRK have been undermined, they are still expected to fulfil many of their original obligations, obligations which in turn have become more difficult to fulfil. These developments have presented the corporation with difficult challenges regarding both their financial bases and their social legitimacy. The corporations have both responded these challenges with a dual strategy: On the one hand they have attempted to improve their financial balances and adapt to market-standards, whereas on the other they have strengthened their commitment to some of the areas which they have seen as crucial to their identity as public broadcasters. While these strategies may be successful in the short term, however, they may produce new challenges in the long term.

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Thesis (Ph.D.)--Northwestern University, 2007. / Adviser: James Webster. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Murdoch University, 2006. / Thesis submitted to the Division of Arts. Bibliography: p. 457-475.

Thesis (M.S.)--Oklahoma State University, 2007. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--York University, 2006. Graduate Programme in Communication and Culture. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 113-117). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:MR29541

Thesis (MCS) -- AUT University, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references. Also held in print (vi, 137 leaves ; 30 cm.) in the Archive at the City Campus (T 302.231 MCE)

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of North Texas, Dec., 2007. / Title from title page display. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of California, Santa Barbara, 2007. / Advisers: W. James Potter, Miriam J. Metzger. Includes bibliographical references.