A video disc playback system develops a frequency modulated carrier wave in reading out the information stored in a video disc. A linear detector derives the program information from the carrier for utilization. A dropout detector, having a nonlinear characteristic particularly in the frequency range representing desired program information, develops a control signal only during operating intervals in which frequency deviations of the carrier beyond the frequency range devoted to program information indicate dropout conditions. That control signal is used to inject previously stored program information in the dropout intervals in order to accomplish dropout compensation.