Dragons' Den (British TV programme)

Dragons' Den
File:DragonsDenUK.png Dragons' Den Title Card in the UK
Genre	Business
Directed by	Martyn Smith
Presented by	Evan Davis
Composer	John Watt
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Original language	English
No. of series	5
No. of episodes	35
Production
Executive producer	Helen Bullough
Producer	Dominic Bird
Running time	60 minutes
Original release
Network	BBC Two
Release	January 4, 2005 – present

The British version of the Japanese television series Dragons' Den is hosted by Evan Davis, and first aired on BBC Two on January 4, 2005.

Format

Contestants have what they perceive to be a viable and potentially profitable business idea but lack funding, or are already trading in their business but need additional funds for promotion or expansion. In the show, the contestants have an opportunity to present their business ideas to five wealthy entrepreneurial businesspeople, the "Dragons" of the show's title. They are required as part of their opening pitch to specify the amount of money they require from the Dragons. The rules stipulate that if they do not raise at least this amount from one or more Dragons, they must leave with nothing. In exchange for the investment, the contestants offer equity in their business, the percentage of which is also stipulated at the beginning of the pitch. If the Dragons see potential in the business idea or product, negotiations then take place around the amount of equity on offer, with the contestant having the opportunity to negotiate further, accept any offers, or simply walk away. Dragons can also offer a percentage of the money requested if they do not wish to commit the full amount, leaving the other Dragons free to do the same. This can lead to the contestant receiving the financial backing of more than one Dragon, with the benefit of a broader range of expertise. However, for this to occur, the contestant usually has to agree to relinquish a larger share in their business than they had first planned.

If, having heard the pitch the Dragons do not wish to invest, they must declare themselves "out", signalling that they no longer wish to be part of the discussion. On one occasion in series 4 Peter Jones continued to question an entrepreneur after he declared himself out. This conclusion can take a considerable amount of time to reach in the case of complex negotiations, or a few short minutes if the business being pitched is not perceived as credible. Dragons do not take kindly to company over-valuations, and contestants can often be the subject of ridicule for this and just about anything else whilst in the Den.

The Dragons

Series 1	Series 2	Series 3	Series 4	Series 5	Series 6
Peter Jones
Duncan Bannatyne
Simon Woodroffe	Theo Paphitis
Rachel Elnaugh		Deborah Meaden
Doug Richard		Richard Farleigh		James Caan

Series guide

• Series One; 6 episodes (January 4, 2005 - February 8, 2005)
• Series Two; 6 episodes (November 15, 2005 - December 20, 2005)
• Series Three; 8 episodes (August 3, 2006 - October 19, 2006)
• Series Four; 6 episodes (February 7, 2007 - March 21, 2007)
• Series Five; 9 episodes (October 15, 2007 - December 17, 2007)
• Series Six; 8 episodes (July 21, 2008 - September, 2008)

A "Junior Dragons' Den" was aired on November 16 2007 as a short special during Children in Need and involved young children and teenagers displaying their ideas. Items included a "Look for Loneliness" pack, with stickers, trophies and branded 'friendship' stops (£5000 was wanted) and also a selection of guinea pig and hamster houses (£1000 wanted).

Dragons' Den 'Where Are They Now' came in four episodes, showing how a selection of successful and unsuccessful contestants from the previous series had subsequently fared in their businesses. The first episode covered the first and second seasons. The second episode covered the third and fourth seasons, but focused mainly on Levi Roots' Reggae Reggae Sauce. The third episode showed more from the third and fourth seasons, but focused in particular on the iTeddy. Finally the fourth two-parter episode focused on the third season.

Controversy

In September 2006, in an investigation by the Sunday Mirror newspaper, it was claimed that most of the deals were unfulfilled after the programmes were shot. The article claimed that the Dragons either pulled out of the deals over minor technicalities, deliberately offered heavily unfavourable terms to the entrepreneurs in an effort to make them withdraw, or simply broke off all contact with them after the recording. The UK Dragons defended their record, with Duncan Bannatyne saying: "We don't hand over money to people who don't tell the truth.", while Theo Paphitis added: "I kept up my end of the bargain. The show is not about a cash prize, it is about us pledging to invest. But people must tell the truth. Simple." A BBC spokesman said: "After the initial agreement is made on camera, both parties enter a period of due diligence. Sometimes during this period the deals fall through." In fact, the BBC has never made a secret of this, with follow-up programmes openly admitting that many deals ultimately fell through.

External links

• Official UK Dragons' Den Site