Shark Tank is a reality
television series that premiered on
ABC on August 9, 2009. The show is based on the UK series
Dragons' Den, which has spawned numerous local versions in other countries. The original series concept is derived from a
Japanese show,
Manê no Tora (Money Tigers). The series stars five "Sharks" — multi-millionaire business tycoons — who hear investment proposals from
entrepreneurs and consider whether to invest in the businesses.
The series is produced by
Mark Burnett who signed a deal in 2008 with
Dragons' Den format-holder Sony to produce an American version. Unlike many versions of the show (particularly English-speaking versions), Burnett chose to retitle the U.S. version
Shark Tank.
[Sony, Burnett dive into 'Shark Tank', Variety [1] February 13, 2008] The series shares similarites with previous ABC series
American Inventor,
which was co-produced by
Peter Jones, a "Dragon" on the
UK version of
Dragons' Den.
On November 1, 2009,
Robert Herjavec reported that ABC had ordered more
Shark Tank.
[twitter.com/robertherjavec/statuses/5328661113]
