Season two ender broke records also held by 'Dexter'

The second season finale of Showtime's "Dexter" smashed records for the premium cable network.

Sunday (Dec. 16) night's "Dexter" drew 1.4 million total viewers in its first 9 p.m. airing, making it the most-watched single airing audience ever for a Showtime series.

The previous record was held by the Nov. 18 episode of "Dexter," which drew 1.23 million, a small boost from the 1.21 million who watched a 2004 telecast of "Soul Food."

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the show's 10 p.m. encore drew an addition 382,000 viewers.

Last December's season one "Dexter" finale attracted 1.2 million, with 148,000 tuning in for the same-night encore.

"Dexter" hasn't been officially renewed for a third season, though it's darned near impossible to imagine Showtime not picking up its highest rated show, which just earned a Golden Globe nomination for leading man Michael C. Hall.

In addition, CBS revealed earlier this month that recycled (and heavily edited) episodes of "Dexter" will probably be a strike-time strategy on the network, though no timetable has been set for that already controversial move.