Showtime Breaks Network Record With 'Dexter,' 'Homeland' Continues to Grow

Randy Tepper/Showtime

As their finales approach, Dexter and Homeland continue to grow on Showtime.

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And after last week's mild upset of Homeland outdrawing Dexter for the first time ever, the veteran serial killer drama rallied with its most-watched episode ever. And that 2.6 million viewer haul doubles as Showtime's biggest audience ever for an original series.

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Dexter, averaging a robust 6.1 million gross weekly viewers across platforms during this season, topped its previous (and long held) record of 2.57 million viewers brought in during its season four finale.

As for Homeland, the series grew to 2.36 million viewers in its inaugural 10 p.m. broadcast, outdrawing the previous week's record of 2.2 million viewers by eight percent. Homeland is averaging 5.8 million gross weekly viewers across platforms, a 35 percent improvement from its freshman season.

With originals and encores, the night brought in 5.68 million viewers for Showtime. Both series end their runs this coming Sunday, Dec. 16.