On what date did the first episode of the British television programme Dragon's Den air?

The first episode of the British television programme Dragon's Den aired on 4 January 2005.

The BBC launched the British adaptation in January 2005 after adapting the Japanese business-pitch format Money Tigers. In each episode, entrepreneurs present their companies or ideas to a panel of wealthy investors and seek funding in exchange for an ownership stake.

The launch date is sometimes confused with the year the format first appeared internationally. The Japanese programme predates the British version, so 2005 identifies the beginning of the UK edition rather than the origin of the overall concept. It is also distinct from the premiere dates of later international adaptations.

The programme's early success helped establish the word “dragon” as a familiar description for its investors. Its format combines business evaluation, negotiation and entertainment, with the outcome of a pitch depending on the dragons' interest and the terms offered by the entrepreneur.