M-Net’s Shark Attack on hopeful entrepreneurs, will not be for fainthearted Dolphins…

Sharks to be released on 2 October 2016 during M-Net’s 30th Birthday Month. 

During a glamorous Media event earlier in September, M-Net officially launched its brand new reality series, Shark Tank. Surrounded by a lot of sharks behind the glass of the uShaka Marine world, we experienced tit-bits of the magic this show will be broadcasting as of 2 October 2016.

M-Net, channel 101 on DStv, and Telkom SA will be shining the spotlight on entrepreneurs with a local version of the Emmy award-winning US reality show Shark Tank.

In Shark Tank South Africa, entrepreneurs will go up in front of a panel of esteemed South African business moguls, known as the “Sharks”, who are willing to invest their own money and time in deserving and potentially lucrative business ideas. The trick is in convincing these highly critical and experienced Sharks that it will be worth their while to bankroll your business, product or invention.

“It’s indeed the opportunity of a lifetime for everyone who needs some funds to make their money-making dreams come true, says M-Net’s Head of Publicity, Lani Lombard. “But take note, these Sharks have sharp teeth. You will need to tell them how much capital you’re asking for, in exchange for what percentage of equity in your business.

The Sharks grilled the contestants about their product, business forecasts, competitor strategies and growth potential before considering an investment. Sometimes serious, sometimes funny, but also sometimes totally ridiculous ideas were pitched. But as Gil Oved told Stage and Screen during the launch, the time they have to make an investment decision, is very short, so sometimes there are that fear of wheatear a right or wrong decision has been made. These negotiations, will be made public, during the broadcast of Shark Tank South Africa.

Over the years, M-Net has brought many riveting reality television show formats to our shores – from Big Brother and Idols to MasterChef, Survivor, and The Voice. Now it is time to join the world phenomenon of Shark Tank.

In the USA Shark Tank is produced by reality show guru Mark Burnett whose success stories include the Survivor and Celebrity Apprentice series. Shark Tank USA is raked in two Emmy Awards in the coveted category of Outstanding Structured Reality Programme. By the previews we saw during the official launch, M-Net will not fall any short with their production of this series.

Here are some fun facts that will make you want to swim with the big fish in M-Net’s Shark Tank South Africa.

• Shark Tank actually originated in Japan, and was originally a format called Money Tigers. Producer Mark Burnett then adapted into Shark Tank for American audiences. To date, there have been eight US seasons of this popular show.
• It’s been speculated that it is statistically harder to get into the US version of Shark Tank than being accepted to Harvard University.
• The simplest ideas often make the most money. While many entrepreneurs in the US version came into the Tank with ideas for apps or tech products, the simplest consumer goods have seen the most success inside the Shark Tank and also in the American marketplace. American Shark Lori Greiner once said, “If you have one genius product and good entrepreneurs, you can turn that one product into a huge success.
• Shark Tank often gives entrepreneurs a valuable boost even if they don’t end up cutting a deal with the Sharks, due to the exposure that brands receive just by being on prime time television.
• Ashton Kutcher appeared as a guest Shark in the first episode of the US’s seventh season, and turned out to be a formidable investor!
• Shark Tank has been made in many different territories in the world, including Australia, Portugal and Italy. The British version of the series, Dragon’s Den, has also been popular around the world with adaptations in numerous countries.
• Apart from having won two Emmy awards for Outstanding Structured Reality Programme, Shark Tank USA has also been on the receiving end of three Critic’s Choice Awards.

Make sure to set your Explora to record Shark Tank South Africa. Or watch it live when it starts on 2 October 2016 on M-Net, DStv Channel 101 on 18:00, and on M-Net +1, DStv Channel 901, at 19:00.