Showtime Scores Huge Ratings for Dexter, Californication Premieres

It was a very nice Sunday night for Showtime.

The fourth season of Dexter opened to a series-high in viewers, as 1.5 million people tuned in to watch Dexter as a father and John Lithgow as a serial killer. It was the most-watched series telecast for any program on Showtime since 2004. Wow.

Similarly, the third season premiere of Californication earned 821,000 viewers,  also a series high and a 57% increase from last season's premiere.

As for last night's ratings:

• Dancing with the Stars was the most-viewed series;
• House was the most-watched scripted show;
• Heroes fell below six million viewers.