Shark Tank first aired in the United States in 2009, beginning the ABC reality series about entrepreneurs pitching businesses to investors.
The U.S. program is based on the Japanese format Money Tigers and is part of the international Dragons’ Den franchise. Contestants present products or companies, answer questions, and negotiate for potential investment from the Sharks.
The series premiered on August 9, 2009. Its original panel included Barbara Corcoran, Kevin Harrington, Robert Herjavec, Daymond John, and Kevin O’Leary, although the regular cast changed over time.
The U.S. premiere date is sometimes confused with the launch of Dragons’ Den in other countries or with the debut of the show’s later celebrity guest investors. The year 2009 specifically identifies the American ABC version.