On what date did the BBC first broadcast Dragons' Den?

The BBC first broadcast Dragons' Den on 4 January 2005.

The programme brought the investor-pitch format to British television, with entrepreneurs presenting businesses to a panel of wealthy investors known as Dragons. Contestants typically sought investment in exchange for a percentage of their company.

The launch established Dragons' Den as a long-running BBC factual-entertainment series. Its original panel included Peter Jones, Duncan Bannatyne, Rachel Elnaugh, Simon Woodroffe and Doug Richard. Evan Davis became the presenter from the beginning of the British run.

The premiere date is sometimes confused with the date of a later series or with the launch date of an international adaptation. The relevant date for the British programme is 4 January 2005.