Michael C. Hall as Dexter Morgan and Lauren Velez as Maria LaGuerta in Dexter (Season 7, episode 12) - Photo: Randy Tepper/Showtime - Photo ID: dexter_712_0514 (Credit: Randy Tepper, Showtime)
Out with a bang. Sunday's season finales of Showtime's Dexter and Homeland drew 2.7 million and 2.3 million viewers, respectively. They were up 23% and 35%, respectively, from last year's closers. The Dexter episode was the most-watched ever for any Showtime original series.
Downward trend. Sunday's finale of Survivor: Philippines, the 25th edition of the reality competition, drew 11.5 million, down from the 13.1 million who watched a December 2011 season-ender that was preceded by a huge NFL runover. Barbara Walters Presents: The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2012 drew 7.6 million viewers on ABC Wednesday, the lowest ever for the yearly special.
Sad news. More than 4.1 million viewers watched CNN's coverage of Sunday's memorial service for the Newtown, Conn., shooting victims. Many viewers tuned in to coverage of the story on the cable news networks on Friday and over the weekend.
Holiday treats. The Elf on the Shelf: An Elf's Story and Yes, Virginia attracted 6 million and 5.8 million viewers, respectively, on CBS Friday. NBC's Michael Buble: Home for the Holidays drew 5.7 million on Monday.
