'Dexter' Finale A Ratings Killer

The season five finale of Showtime's popular drama series Dexter cut out a sizable chunk of Sunday night viewers in route to its most-watched season to date.

The Dexter season five finale drew 2.5 million viewers, matching last year's network record setting audience for the series' season four finale, according to Showtime officials. Dexter's season finale audience tally was 40% above its season five premiere numbers, according to the network.

An additional 11 p.m. showing garnered 401,000 viewers. Once On Demand and Live+7 viewers are in, Showtime estimates that the Dexter season five finale could deliver a series record six million viewers.

Overall, season five of Dexter is expected to average a series-high 5 million viewers, according to network officials.

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.