A video signal processing circuit including signal substitution circuitry for eliminating impulse noise has a signal peaking circuit conditionally operable for the duration of one or more video fields depending upon the presence of noise being detected in the vertical blanking interval. A circuit responsive to enabling pulses generated as a result of impulse noise or defects being detected in a vertical blanking interval provides one of two peaking control signals for controlling the level of peaking applied to the video signal by the peaking circuit.