CBS to air 'Dexter' on broadcast television

CBS has confirmed plans to re-air the entire first season of Showtime hit Dexter starting next month.

The crime drama, which stars Michael C. Hall as a police officer conducting forensics investigations by day and murdering serial killers by night, will air on Sunday nights starting February 17.

"We're excited to work with our corporate cousins at Showtime on this unique programming opportunity," said CBS entertainment president Nina Tassler. "Dexter is a high-quality, compelling series that will be new and original programming for most CBS viewers. It's also a great match with our existing lineup, affording us the opportunity to promote this critically decorated series in CBS' top-rated crime dramas."

However, the series - which features graphic sex scenes and gory depictions of violence - will have to be heavily edited from its premium cable form in order to be cleared for transmission on terrestrial television, where FCC rules govern what may and may not be shown.

The decision to repurpose the show for CBS comes as the Writers Guild of America strike continues to drain America's broadcast TV networks of first-run unscripted content. However, Dexter's writing staff are WGA members who are on strike, and writer-executive producer Daniel Cerone has expressed concern that the editing process will be left solely in the hands of producers.

"There is a little bit of concern... you spend so much time working on all minute details of the characters and the stories and a lot of it could get lost in translation," he told The Hollywood Reporter.

However, Showtime president of entertainment Robert Greenblatt has said he will personally supervise the editing process.

"I am very protective of the show and will make sure the small changes are done very seamlessly," he said. "The essence of the show is absolutely there; we haven't compromised the character and his moral compass."