The History of Shark Tank (Infographic)

Before there were sharks, there were dragons and tigers.

learn more about Carly Okyle

By Carly Okyle

REUTERS | Gus Ruelas
Robert Herjavec, Lori Greiner and Daymond John take part in a panel discussion.

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Shark Tank is now airing the last episodes of its sixth season, but there's a lot you might not know -- or might not remember -- about the show, which premiered on ABC in 2009 to more than 4 million viewers.

Did you know, for example, that both Japan and England had versions of the show before it ever aired in the U.S.? Tigers of Money premiered in Japan in 2004, while Dragons' Den aired in Manchester the following year. While the animal imagery is different, the concept is the same.

Moreover, while the chemistry of the current cast of investors seems natural and instantaneous, it took some finagling to achieve. Mark Cuban didn't start swimming with the sharks until season 2, when he replaced media mogul Kevin Harrington, and Lori Greiner started as a guest in the third season. She didn't become a part of the main cast until season four.

Check out the infographic below, compiled by patent marketplace Idea Buyer and 3-D printing company Engineering Inventions to learn more about the Shark Tank phenomenon, like when it was nominated for an Emmy and where it's headed next.

Related: Shark Tank's Lori Greiner on the Importance of Mentorship

Click to Enlarge

The History of Shark Tank (Infographic)

Carly Okyle

Assistant Editor, Contributed Content

Carly Okyle is an assistant editor for contributed content at Entrepreneur.com.

Related Topics

Editor's Pick

Everyone Wants to Get Close to Their Favorite Artist. Here's the Technology Making It a Reality — But Better.
The Highest-Paid, Highest-Profile People in Every Field Know This Communication Strategy
After Early Rejection From Publishers, This Author Self-Published Her Book and Sold More Than 500,000 Copies. Here's How She Did It.
Having Trouble Speaking Up in Meetings? Try This Strategy.
He Names Brands for Amazon, Meta and Forever 21, and Says This Is the Big Blank Space in the Naming Game
Business News

American Airlines Sued After Teen Dies of Heart Attack Onboard Flight to Miami

Kevin Greenridge was traveling from Honduras to Miami on June 4, 2022, on AA Flight 614 when he went into cardiac arrest and became unconscious mid-flight.

Leadership

How to Detect a Liar in Seconds Using Nonverbal Communication

There are many ways to understand if someone is not honest with you. The following signs do not even require words and are all nonverbal queues.

Growing a Business

Take Action Now to Protect Your Business From a Recession With These 4 Strategies

Business owners can implement these practical measures now to help their businesses grow, even before a recession is officially declared.

Marketing

After Early Rejection From Publishers, This Author Self-Published Her Book and Sold More Than 500,000 Copies. Here's How She Did It.

Author Karen Inglis breaks down the strategies and tactics you need to generate awareness and sales for your self-published book.

Business News

These Are the Most and Least Affordable Places to Retire in The U.S.

The Northeast and West Coast are the least affordable, while areas in the Mountain State region tend to be ideal for retirees on a budget.