'Dexter' Finale Sets Showtime Ratings Record

Sunday's series finale of Showtime's Dexter set a ratings record for the network, said network executives,

The series, starring Michael C. Hall in the iconic role of vigilante killer Dexter Morgan, averaged 2.8 million viewers for its 9 p.m. finale, despite competition from CBS' Emmy Awards telecast, NBC's Sunday Night Football and AMC's penultimate episode of Breaking Bad. Dexter's performance was up 13% from the season eight premiere, and drew more than 3.3 million viewers including replays, said the network.

Overall, Dexter was averaging a network record 6.4 million viewers across all platforms heading into Sunday’s finale.

Showtime series Ray Donovan also ended its freshman campaign on a high note, delivering 1.4 million viewers in its 10 p.m. finale, and 2.1 million viewers including repeats – the best finale ever for a first-year series on Showtime, according to network officials.

Season-to-date, Ray Donovan (which has already been renewed for a second season) is averaging 5.7 million weekly viewers across platforms, and now ranks as the network’s third highest-rated show, behind only third-year series Homeland and Dexter, said the network.

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.