They were two of the most engrossing hours on television all year... and they took place on the same night... and Showtime is now reaping the ratings benefit of Sunday's Dexter Season 7 finale and Homeland Season 2 finale.

The former was viewed by 2.75 million people, which is an increase of 23 percent from last year's finale, and which makes it the most-watched episode of an original series in the HISTORY of the network.

Homeland, meanwhile, hit its own high: 2.3 million households tuned in to see Brody go on the run. That's a 32 percent boost from the Homeland Season 1 finale.

Both these dramas have been renewed, with Dexter expected to air its final season in 2013 - but it may be hard for Showtime to pull the plug after these numbers.

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.