Showtime's 'Dexter,' 'Californication' hit series highs

Buoyed by positive reviews and a perversely family oriented storyline, Showtime's fourth season of "Dexter" broke network records Sunday night.

The series opener, where vigilante serial killer Dexter balances fatherhood and hunting bad guys, generated 1.5 million viewers in its first airing.

Not only is this an all-time high for "Dexter" -- up 25% from last season's debut -- it's also the most-watched series telecast for any program on Showtime since at least 2004 (when the network altered its ratings system).

The premiere of "Californication" (821,000) also a series high, up 57% from last season's premiere. If you fold in same-night encores for both shows, "Dexter" was seen by 1.9 million viewers and "Californication" had 1.2 million.