Dexter shatters Showtime records as it bows out

Showtime’s dark cable drama Dexter yesterday bowed out with the highest ever single episode ratings on the CBS-owned premium channel.

The final episode of the show’s eight and last season took 2.8 million viewers in its 9pm slot, up 13% on the season’s debut – a figure that represents Showtime’s largest ever audience for an original episode.

Overall, the episode scored 3.3 million for the night, while season eight has averaged 6.4 million weekly viewers – Dexter’s highest ever season tally.

The critically acclaimed show starred Michael C. Hall as a Miami police blood spatter expert who lead a double life as a criminal-hunting serial killer.

Meanwhile, momentum continues to build for Showtime’s latest original drama hit, Ray Donovan, which ended its first season as the highest-rated freshman series in Showtime’s history.

The 2.1 million it pulled for the night yesterday was the best ever performance for a first season finale. Overall, it has pulled an average 5.7 million viewers a week.