{{Short description|Australian reality competition television series}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}} {{Use Australian English|date=June 2017}} {{Infobox television | image = Shark Tank Australia logo.png | image_size = 270 | image_alt = | caption = | alt_name = | genre = Reality | creator = | based_on = | developer = | writer = | screenplay = | story = | director = Randall Churchill | creative_director = | presenter = Sarah Harris (2015–2018) | starring = See investors | judges = | voices = <!-- Organized by broadcast credit order, with new main cast added to the end of the list --> | narrator = {{Plainlist| *Sarah Harris (2023) *Osher Gunsberg (2024–) }} | theme_music_composer = | open_theme = | end_theme = | composer = | country = Australia | language = English | num_seasons = 6 | num_episodes = 61 | list_episodes = | executive_producer = | producer = | editor = | location = Sydney, New South Wales | cinematography = | camera = | runtime = 60 minutes | company = {{Plainlist| *Shine Australia (2015–2018) *Curio Pictures (2023–)<ref name="ProdCompany" /> }} | budget = | channel = Network Ten | released = | first_aired = {{Start date|2015|02|08|df=yes}} | last_aired = {{End date|2018|08|07|df=yes}} | first_aired2 = {{Start date|2023|08|29|df=yes}} | last_aired2 = present | related = }}

'''''Shark Tank''''' is an Australian reality competition television series on Network Ten, in which aspiring entrepreneur-contestants made business presentations to a panel of investors called "sharks".<ref>{{cite web|last=Knox|first=David|title=TEN confirms Shark Tank for 2015|publisher=TV Tonight|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2014/09/ten-confirms-shark-tank-for-2015.html|date=1 September 2014|accessdate=5 February 2015}}</ref> Six seasons of the program aired, spanning 2015–2018 and 2023–2024. ''Shark Tank'' was filmed at Disney Studios Australia.

==Format== Hosted by Sarah Harris, the show featured a panel of multimillionaire investors called "Sharks" who listened to entrepreneurs pitch businesses or products they wished to develop. If one or more Sharks were interested, investment deals could be made on the show. However, if all sharks declined, contestants left with nothing. A 2018 investigation by Fairfax Media revealed that during the 2017 season, fifty pitches resulted in twenty-seven deals, of which only four actually closed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/small-business/i-m-out-shark-tank-bites-fail-to-net-deal-once-show-goes-to-air-20180517-p4zfsl.html|title='I'm out': Shark Tank bites fail to net deal once show goes to air|first=Cara|last=Waters|date=17 May 2018|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|accessdate=17 May 2018}}</ref>

''Shark Tank'' has been described as demonstrating "the drama of pitch meetings and the interaction between the entrepreneurs and tycoons."<ref name="Biz Insider">{{cite web | url=http://au.businessinsider.com/abc-to-humiliate-struggling-entrepreneurs-on-national-television-2009-3 | title=ABC To Humiliate Entrepreneurs On National TV | publisher=Business Insider (Australia) | date=31 March 2009 | accessdate=21 March 2013 | author=Lewis | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130410162807/http://au.businessinsider.com/abc-to-humiliate-struggling-entrepreneurs-on-national-television-2009-3 | archivedate=10 April 2013 | df=dmy-all |first=Hilary}}</ref> Sharks were compensated for their participation but invested their own money.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tenplay.com.au/channel-ten/shark-tank/about|title=About - Shark Tank|first=Network|last=Ten|website=TenPlay - About - Shark Tank|accessdate=17 May 2018}}</ref>

== History == ''Shark Tank'' was the second Australian series to be based on the show format. A previous unsuccessful adaptation, ''Dragons' Den'', aired on the Seven Network in 2005.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lee|first1=Ada|title=Reality TV show Shark Tank is where entrepreneurs sink or swim|url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/reality-tv-show-shark-tank-is-where-entrepreneurs-sink-or-swim-20150126-128cnb.html|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=29 January 2015}}</ref>

''Shark Tank'' premiered on 8 February 2015 and aired 15 episodes through to 7 June 2015 with a regular timeslot of 8:00pm Sunday. It was renewed for a second season in the season finale. Season 2 premiered in 2016 with Glen Richards replacing John McGrath as a panelist. The series was renewed for a third season that began airing on 20 June 2017.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Knox|first1=David|title=Returning: Shark Tank 2017|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2017/06/returning-shark-tank-2.html|work=TV Tonight|date=29 January 2015}}</ref>

In March 2023, it was announced the series would return to Network 10 later in the year, with a new panel of investors, and to be produced by Curio Pictures.<ref name="ProdCompany">{{cite web|first=David|last=Knox|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2023/03/shark-tank-returning-to-10.html|title=Shark Tank returning to 10|date=2 March 2023|website=TV Tonight|accessdate=2 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Kyle|last=Laidlaw|url=https://tvblackbox.com.au/page/2023/03/02/channel-10-announces-return-of-competition-series-shark-tank-australia-for-a-new-season-in-2023/|title=Channel 10 announces return of competition series Shark Tank Australia for a new season in 2023|date=2 March 2023|website=TV Blackbox|accessdate=2 March 2023}}</ref> On 22 March 2023, Network 10 announced the new panel of investors.<ref>{{cite web|first=David|last=Knox|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2023/03/meet-the-new-shark-tank-bosses.html|title=Meet the new Shark Tank bosses|date=22 March 2023|website=TV Tonight|accessdate=22 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mediaweek.com.au/shark-tank-channel-10-reveals-the-2023-season-sharks/|title=Shark Tank: Channel 10 reveals the Sharks circling Australian businesses|date=22 March 2023|website=Mediaweek|accessdate=22 March 2023}}</ref> The fifth season premiered on 29 August 2023.<ref>{{cite web|first=David|last=Knox|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2023/08/returning-shark-tank-4.html|title=Returning: Shark Tank S5|date=15 August 2023|website=TV Tonight|accessdate=25 August 2023}}</ref> In October 2023, the series was renewed by 10 for a sixth season, which premiered on 16 October 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-24 |title=2024 Upfronts: 10 / Paramount+ {{!}} TV Tonight |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2023/10/2024-upfronts-10-paramount.html |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=tvtonight.com.au |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-17 |title=Here's What's Still To Come On 10 In 2024 |url=https://10play.com.au/10-play-trending/articles/heres-whats-still-to-come-on-10-in-2024/tpa240516bhvie |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=10 play |language=en-AU}}</ref>

==Season overview== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align: center" |- ! scope="col" colspan=2 rowspan="2"| Season ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Episodes ! scope="col" colspan="2"| Originally aired |- ! scope="col" | Season premiere ! scope="col" | Season finale |- ! style="background:#BA7CF8; color:black;" | ! 1 | 15 | {{nowrap|8 February 2015}} | 7 June 2015 |- ! style="background:#53C8E9; color:black;" | ! 2 | 13 | 8 May 2016 | 7 July 2016 |- ! style="background:#ff3; color:black;" | ! 3 | 13 | 20 June 2017 | {{nowrap|19 September 2017}} |- ! style="background:#A91B24; color:black;" | ! 4 | 13 | 15 May 2018 | 7 August 2018 |- ! style="background:#73B139; color:black;" | ! 5 | 8 | 29 August 2023 | 17 October 2023 |- ! style="background:#002AFF; color:black;" | ! 6 | 8 | 16 October 2024 | 11 December 2024 |}

==Sharks==

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width:57%;" |- ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:15%;" | Sharks ! scope="col" colspan="6" | Seasons |- ! scope="col" style="width:7%;" | 1 ! scope="col" style="width:7%;" | 2 ! scope="col" style="width:7%;" | 3 ! scope="col" style="width:7%;" | 4 ! scope="col" style="width:7%;" | 5 ! scope="col" style="width:7%;" | 6 |- | scope="row" | Steve Baxter<br>(Internet pioneer) | colspan="4" {{cMain}} || colspan="2" {{n/a|}} |- | scope="row" | Janine Allis<br>(Boost Juice) | colspan="4" {{cMain}} || colspan="2" {{n/a|}} |- | scope="row" | Andrew Banks<br>(Talent2) | colspan="4" {{cMain}} || colspan="2" {{n/a|}} |- | scope="row" | Naomi Simson<br>(RedBalloon) | colspan="4" {{cMain}} || colspan="2" {{n/a|}} |- | John McGrath <br> (McGrath Estate Agents) | {{cMain}} || colspan="5" {{n/a|}} |- | scope="row" | Dr. Glen Richards<br>(Greencross Vets)<ref>{{cite web|last=Knox|first=David|title=New Shark enters TEN's Tank|publisher=TV Tonight|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2015/11/new-shark-enters-tens-tank.html|date=2 November 2015|accessdate=3 November 2015}}</ref> | {{n/a|}} || colspan="3" {{cMain}} || colspan="2" {{n/a|}} |- | Davie Fogarty<br>(Davie Group) || colspan="4" {{n/a|}} || colspan="2" {{cMain}} |- | Jane Lu<br>(Showpo)|| colspan="4" {{n/a|}} || colspan="2" {{cMain}} |- | Robert Herjavec<br>(Herjavec Group) || colspan="4" {{n/a|}} || colspan="2" {{cMain}} |- | Sabri Suby<br>(King Kong Digital Marketing Agency) || colspan="4" {{n/a|}} || {{cMain}} || colspan="1" {{n/a|}} |- | Catriona Wallace<br>(Responsible Metaverse Alliance) || colspan="4" {{n/a|}} || {{cMain}} || colspan="1" {{n/a|}} |- |Nick Bell<br>(Tech Entrepreneur) || colspan="5" {{n/a|}} || colspan="1" {{cMain}} |- |Maxine Horne<br>(Vita Group) || colspan="5" {{n/a|}} || colspan="1" {{cMain}} |}

==Season ratings== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |- ! scope="col" | Season ! scope="col" | Timeslot ! scope="col" | Episodes ! scope="col" | Premiere ! scope="col" | Finale ! scope="col" | Season Average |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center;"|'''1''' | Sunday 8:00&nbsp;pm ! 15 | 8 February 2015 | 7 June 2015 ! 649,000 |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center;"|'''2''' | Various ! 13 | 8 May 2016 | 7 July 2016 ! 568,000 |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center;"|'''3''' | Various ! 13 | 20 June 2017 | 19 September 2017 ! 530,000 |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center;"|'''4''' | Tuesday 8:30&nbsp;pm ! 13 | 15 May 2018 | 7 August 2018 ! 522,000 |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center;"|'''5''' | Tuesday 7:30&nbsp;pm ! 8 | 29 August 2023 | 17 October 2023 ! 243,000 |- ! 6 | Wednesday 8:50&nbsp;pm (ep. 1), Wednesday 7:30&nbsp;pm (ep. 2–8) ! 8 | 16 October 2024 | 11 December 2024 ! TBA |}

==Awards== {{Awards table|5|no_nominee=y}} |- !scope="row"|2025 |''TV Week'' Logies |Best Structured Reality Program |{{nom}} |<ref>{{cite news |work=TV Tonight |access-date=29 July 2025 |title=2025 Logie Awards: nominees |date=16 June 2025 |first=David |last=Knox |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2025/06/2025-logie-awards-nominees.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250616155200/https://tvtonight.com.au/2025/06/2025-logie-awards-nominees.html |url-status=live |archive-date=16 June 2025}}</ref> {{end}}

==References== {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links== *{{IMDb title|id=4406222|title=Shark Tank}}

{{Shark Tank}} {{Dragons' Den}} {{Network 10 programming}}

Category:Network 10 original programming Category:2015 Australian television series debuts Category:2018 Australian television series endings Category:2023 Australian television series debuts Category:2010s Australian reality television series Category:2020s Australian reality television series Category:English-language Australian television shows Category:Television shows set in Sydney Category:Television series by Playmaker Media Category:Business-related reality television series Category:Australian television series based on Japanese television series Category:Australian television series based on American television series Category:Australian television series revived after cancellation Category:Shark Tank