The first episode of the British TV show Dragons' Den premiered in the United Kingdom in 2005.
The series launched on BBC Two in January 2005, bringing a Japanese-origin investment format to British television. Each episode places entrepreneurs before a panel of investors who can offer capital, advice and contacts, usually in return for an equity share in the business.
The 2005 launch marked the beginning of a long-running British television franchise. The cast of Dragons has changed over the years, but the essential structure has remained recognisable: a founder makes a financial proposal, the investors ask questions, and the founder negotiates under pressure.
The date is sometimes confused with the start dates of overseas versions. Canada, Australia and the United States all developed their own editions at different times. The UK programme itself began in 2005, several years after the Japanese source format had been established.