The first episode of the UK television show Dragon's Den aired in 2005.
The British version premiered on BBC Two on 4 January 2005. It adapted the format in which entrepreneurs present business proposals to wealthy investors, known as dragons, and seek investment in exchange for equity.
Dragon's Den was based on the Japanese television format Money Tigers. The format later spread internationally, including to the United States as Shark Tank. Although the programme has changed presenters and investors over time, its central pitch-and-negotiation structure has remained consistent.
A common mix-up is to confuse the British premiere with the launch of other versions. The BBC series began in 2005, while international adaptations appeared in different years and often used different names for the investors.