Shark Tank, which debuted on ABC in August 2009, is still going strong 14 years later. Although the cast has changed, the principle has not: in each episode, entrepreneurs have the opportunity to pitch their business to a team of “sharks”—who, while terrifying, are actually ultra-wealthy (human) investors.
The show is a derivation of a Japanese program called The Tigers of Money, which evolved into a U.K. show named Dragons’ Den before making its way to the United States under the shark title.
“When the show finally aired, very few people watched it,” investor Daymond John, aka “The People’s Shark,” wrote on his website. “Just when it seemed like the show was on the verge of being canceled, a change in power occurred at the network. […] In season two we got some help, as Jeff Foxworthy and Mark Cuban joined as guest sharks for a few episodes each. Their appearances brought more awareness to the show, and Shark Tank began to gain a little bit of momentum.”
The adjustments were clearly successful, since reality TV enthusiasts and business nerds alike tune in season after season to watch the sharks.
Here’s what we know so far about Season 15 of Shark Tank and its group of investors.
Will there be a Season 15 of Shark Tank?
In mid-May, before the Season 14 finale, ABC announced that there will be a season 15 of Shark Tank.
What is the Shark Tank Season 15 release date?
Shark Tank Season 15 has yet to get an official release date. It is, however, part of ABC’s fall 2023 roster, so viewers may probably expect it in September or October, depending on how filming goes.
While the jury’s out for Season 15, past production hasn’t always been the easiest on investors. Shark Robert Herjavec told Insider that Season 7 took just 17 days to film, but each day was a grueling 12 hours. “We’re cold, we’re hungry, we’re miserable,” he said.
Barbara Corcoran, like fellow shark Lori Greiner, had the added hardship of wearing high heels and crossing her legs on stage. Insider reported that the real estate magnate occasionally squeezes her leg to keep it from falling asleep.
Who are the Shark Tank Season 15 investors?
There hasn’t been much information released regarding Shark Tank’s future season, but according to the ABC.com cast list, viewers can definitely expect to see the whole Season 14 cast of investors return in Season 15.This includes the following:
Barbara Corcoran
Barbara Corcoran, a real estate superstar, launched The Corcoran Group in 1973 with a $1,000 loan. She later sold it for $66 million in 2001.Corcoran, an early Shark Tank cast member, has invested in over 80 startups, written a best-selling book, and presents the podcast Business Unusual with Barbara Corcoran.
Mark Cuban
Lori Greiner
Lori Greiner, who developed her reputation (and bank account) by developing retail products, is likely the ideal choice for Shark Tank. Greiner has invented and marketed over 1,000 products in her career and possesses 120 patents. She has a 90% success rate on new product launches on the show and is known for making various bets. Greiner is also a best-selling book and a popular public speaker.
Robert Herjavec
Robert Herjavec is a multi-millionaire IT entrepreneur who has started and sold multiple IT companies. Herjavec Group, a global pioneer in information security, was founded by him in 2003. Herjavec has written two best-selling books in addition to providing cybersecurity intelligence to both the US and Canadian governments.
Daymond John
Daymond John is a well-known branding specialist and another original shark (together with Corcoran, Herjavec, and O’Leary). He started FUBU, a hip hop apparel firm that made him a millionaire, in 1992. Through his work with the consulting firm The Shark Group, John now helps other businesses grow into brands.
Kevin O’Leary
Kevin O’Leary is the founder of multiple mega-successful companies, notably the ’90s tech star SoftKey, which Mattel acquired for $4.2 billion in 1999. He manages the O’Leary Financial Group using his business skills. He invests in firms in a variety of industries through his venture capital firm, O’Leary Ventures. O’Leary has previously co-hosted the Discovery Channel’s Project Earth and is a regular contributor to CNBC.
Who is the richest investor on Shark Tank?
Mark Cuban, the richest Shark Tank investor by far, is a billionaire. According to Forbes, Cuban has a net worth of $5.1 billion thanks to his holdings in the Dallas Mavericks, Costplusdrugs.com, and AXS TV.
With a reported net worth of almost $400 million, the next-richest shark is businessman Kevin O’Leary.
How to watch Shark Tank Season 15
Shark Tank has aired on ABC for all 14 seasons and will continue to do so for the upcoming 15th. Although no official release date has been revealed, the show will air on Fridays at 8 p.m. ET, according to ABC’s fall schedule.
Viewers who do not have cable can watch the show live on Hulu, DIRECTV, YouTube TV, and fuboTV, which all have live TV subscriptions. They may also watch Shark Tank episodes for free on the ABC website or app. Otherwise, it can be purchased (but only after it has aired) on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV/iTunes, Vudu, and Google Play.
Where to watch past seasons of Shark Tank
Hulu customers, who can easily view all 14 Shark Tank seasons on the platform, may have the best access to the sharks.Full seasons and episodes are also available for purchase on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play.
If you’re not a total Shark Tank devotee, you may watch the most current episodes for free on the ABC website and app. That currently includes five episodes from Season 14.
How do you get on Shark Tank?
Being featured as an entrepreneur on Shark Tank is notoriously difficult. Although the show has been holding casting calls for its next 15th season—a process that was put on hold for three years owing to the pandemic—getting a shot with the sharks is still no easy accomplishment.
According to USA Today, each season of Shark Tank receives an average of 35,000 to 40,000 candidates. Around 1,000 people advance to the second step from there, while only 158 pitches were filmed in Season 10. Worse, tossing a shark does not guarantee you a TV glamour shot. Only 88 of the 158 pitches were broadcast.
If you’re still determined to get on the show, there is an application process. You can apply online or attend an open call in person, where you’ll give a one-minute pitch to a member of the casting team. Be advised: There final casting call for season 15, hosted at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was Monday, July 17.