When did the British TV series Dragons' Den first premiere on BBC Two?

The British TV series Dragons' Den first premiered on BBC Two on 4 January 2005.

The programme brought entrepreneurs before a panel of wealthy investors, who became known officially as Dragons. Contestants presented their businesses and requested investment in exchange for a percentage of ownership.

The British version was adapted from a Japanese business-reality format and became one of the BBC's best-known factual-entertainment programmes. Its first series established the basic structure still associated with the show: a long walk into the pitch room, a short presentation, questioning from the investors and negotiations over equity.

A common mix-up is confusing the British premiere with later international versions. The British series began in 2005, while other countries developed their own adaptations at different times.