Sunday’s Dexter averaged 1.7 million viewers or about as many as Mad Men’s 1.723 million. The difference? AMC is available in roughly 95 million homes, while Showtime is only in around 21 million (based on Nielsen estimates from September).
The 1.7 million represents a series high for Dexter which this year has John Lithgow in the cast.
Update: Here is the press release from Showtime noting that it was the most-viewed single telecast since 2004. But they also mix and match and don’t even list the 1.7 million, instead using “over 2 million” which must include ~300,000 for the encore.
DEXTER BEGINS TO PIECE THE TRINITY PUZZLE
Sunday’s Episode Sets Ratings Record For SHOWTIME
“Lundy was wrong. I was wrong,” laments Dexter during the final scene of last week’s revelatory 5th episode. “Neither of us knew pieces of the puzzle were missing. Trinity is a husband, a father. He’s like me.”
With this latest discovery, Dexter’s already duplicitous and morally ambiguous world gets thrown upside down as he realizes Trinity’s pathology runs deeper than he ever could have imagined. Having created similar dual realities to hide their true nature, Dexter recognizes he has more in common with Trinity than he first thought. While Dexter might admire Trinity’s methods which have proven murderously effective for over three decades, he understands that Harry’s Code will not allow for him to idly stand by as Trinity continues his rampage.
Last Sunday’s episode of Dexter was the highest single-telecast on SHOWTIME since 2004, surpassing the season premiere. Over 2 million viewers tuned into watch as the dramatic tension and plot twists continue to keep audiences on the edge of their seats.
Showtime is catching up with HBO with 10m less subscribers, I wouldn’t be surprised if it beats Curb Your Enthusiam and Bored to Death.
Is that just for the 9pm airing or combined?
just 9pm, I didn’t see the combined results. I’ll see if I can get them
1.7m is very good for the first airing on Showtime, I imagine a press release or an article on Variety or The Hollywood Reporter is iminient.
Kudos to Dexter. I’ve only watched the first two. Looks like I need to catch up
It was expected, after the HUGE cliffhanger in the last episode. It’s good to see Dexter almost back to form after a lack-luster third season, story-wise.
It’s still puny compared to what HBO has gotten with its strongest shows, including True Blood–and that’s allowing for the difference in subscribers.
It certainly is a more successful show than Mad Men, but it’ll never do as well as the Emmys.
Michael C. Hall is getting locked into this one-note role, and that’s a loss for the acting profession as a whole.
HBO is established and have been the destination for preminium content for many years, Sex and the City and The Sopranos put them on the map so to speak and they followed it up with shows like Bands of Brothers, Rome etc not to mention they have deep pockets. Showtime has struggled to compete but they caught up with shows like The L Word, The Tudors, Weeds and it was Dexter that got them noticed.
You may not like Showtime but their growth in the last few years is worth noting. But the rise of Showtime and to an extent AMC and FX has forced HBO to up their game and even Starz is getting into the scripted arena.
True Blood also got the whole cheesy, teeny twilight vampire craze. Despite it’s ratings, it’s probably one of the worst shows HBO has ever produced. However, I’m really looking forward to Treme, The Pacific, In Treatment, and Boardwalk Empire next year. HBO is coming back.
Happy to see Dexter doing well. This season has been good and Lithgow is golden.
@Chad, I hate Twilight but true blood is a good show.
@Jon, Showtime isn’t in the same league as HBO, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
That’s good to read. This week’s Dexter was arguably the best episode since the season two finale. I knew having a big bad like the excellent John Lithgow would be a sage move. Kudos to whomever did the casting.
Great news for Dexter! Season 4 has been excellent so far. John Lithgow really is bringing a very interesting mix of scary-disturbing but also sad and weak elements with his take on Trinity.
I’m not sure why people would describe Dexter (or Michael C Hall’s performance) as a ‘one note’. Dexter’s gone through a big arc of emotional change since season 1 imho.
I hate True Blood but like Dexter, just haven’t been impressed with Dexter’s last season and this current one. Hoping season four’s finale will turn that around since I’ve heard it’s supposed to be a shocker.
Happy for Dexter. One of the best shows on television period in my view. So far, S4 > S3.
Not shocked with high ratings either after the cliff hanger ending leading into this episode.
To be honest the only television I watch is sports and Dexter. I have never looked forward to a televion show like I do Dexter. Agreed, Lithgow is doing an amazing job. When I saw him in the first scene, I thougth “oh god” because of his previous work in comedy. Excellent numbers, I hope they continue to sky-rocket.