Dragons’ Den premieres Sept. 30

From a media release:

HIT TV SHOW Dragons’ Den FUELS THE ECONOMY WITH $15 MILLION IN DEALS IN THE BIGGEST SEASON EVER

• Season Four Debuts Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 8 p.m. on CBC Television

DRAGONS’ DEN is back for its fourth season with $15 million worth of investment deals. After country-wide auditions with twice the number of entrepreneurs as last year, the hit reality TV show returns for its biggest season yet. The panel of self-made Canadian business moguls is back and ready to invest their hard-earned cash in winning ideas. Dianne Buckner hosts as the Dragons breathe fire into the Den in 11 one-hour episodes, debuting on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 8 p.m. on CBC Television.

DRAGONS’ DEN continues to be a barometer for the economy. Past seasons saw waves of mom and eco-preneurs. This season, the stakes are even higher as victims of the economic downturn step into the Den. Laid-off employees of Ontario’s auto sector and British Columbia’s mining industry are looking for capital to start their own empires. In today’s economic reality, only the best businesses stand a chance at surviving the Dragons’ gruelling grilling. The Dragons are after an idea that will make them an instant fortune, so candidates must be smart, prepared and persuasive. What ideas will pry open the Dragons’ vaults and lead to financing at a time when we are experiencing a credit crunch?

“We know from last year’s fabulous ratings that Canadians are tuning in and looking to see success stories during these times, and this season promises to give viewers a taste of what it takes to get an idea off the ground,” said Kirstine Stewart, CBC Television’s general manager, English Services. “Viewers can’t get enough of the personalities in the Den, and everyone has a favourite.”

This season’s returning Dragons:

• Arlene Dickinson, 20-year marketing veteran and award-winning CEO of Venture Communications Ltd., one of Canada’s largest independent marketing firms.
• Robert Herjavec, Croatian immigrant and head of The Herjavec Group, one of Canada’s leading and fastest-growing IT security and infrastructure integration firms.
• Kevin O’Leary, co-host of CBC Newsworld’s new business show and manager of O’Leary Global Equity and Income Fund, O’Leary sold his software firm to make a fortune.
• Jim Treliving, a former RCMP officer who owns several multi-million dollar companies, including real estate company White Rock Commercial, Mr. Lube and Boston Pizza.
• W. Brett Wilson, one of Canada’s most successful businessmen and respected philanthropists, Brett is an innovative merchant banker with extensive holdings in the energy, agriculture, real estate, sports, and entertainment industries.

The Executive Producer of DRAGONS’ DEN is Tracie Tighe, and the Senior Producer is Lisa Gabriele. Throughout the season, viewers can go to http://www.cbc.ca/dragonsden to find out more about pitchers and updates on their progress.