On what date did the British TV series Dragon's Den first premiere?

The British TV series Dragon's Den first premiered on 4 January 2005.

The programme launched on BBC Two as a British adaptation of the Japanese business format Money Tigers. From its first episode, entrepreneurs entered the studio to present business proposals and seek funding from the investor panel known as the Dragons.

The launch date is sometimes confused with later milestones, such as the programme's move to BBC One or the arrival of individual investors. These events happened after the series had already established itself on BBC Two. The show went on to become a long-running fixture of British factual entertainment television.

The premiere also marked the beginning of a format that combined business valuation, negotiation, and personal storytelling. Its early episodes established conventions still associated with the programme, including entrepreneurs making a direct investment request and answering detailed questions about their company.