On what date did the British BBC television programme Dragons' Den first air?

The British television programme Dragons' Den first aired on 4 January 2005.

The programme was launched by the BBC as a British adaptation of the Japanese format Money Tigers. Entrepreneurs enter a room and present business ideas to wealthy investors, known as Dragons, who can offer money in exchange for equity.

The first series established the show's central conventions: entrepreneurs pitch without knowing whether investors will make offers, and the Dragons may question sales, costs, valuation and ownership. The original panel included Duncan Bannatyne, Peter Jones, Theo Paphitis, Rachel Elnaugh and Doug Richard.

The date is sometimes confused with the launch dates of overseas versions, especially the Canadian and American adaptations. Dragons' Den is also distinct from Shark Tank, although Shark Tank is based on the same international format. The BBC programme has remained a recurring factual-entertainment series since its 2005 debut.