DRAGONS' DEN KICKS OFF 2014 WITH BRAND NEW SECOND CHANCE EPISODE ON CBC-TV

DRAGONS’ DEN returns this January to give past pitchers another opportunity to make a deal with the Dragons in the fan-favourite Second Chance episode. Airing Wednesday, January 8 at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT), the first episode of 2014 features some of the most memorable pitchers from seasons past, as entrepreneurs return to the Den for a second shot at a deal.

In the DRAGONS’ DEN Second Chance special, optimistic entrepreneurs from across Canada enter the Den with their revamped business propositions. Each pitcher has previously faced rejection on DRAGONS’ DEN, but in this episode, they showcase what they’ve learned and try to prove that this time they have what it takes to succeed. With Elvis back from the Yukon, a DIY bidet creator and a couple of aspiring beverage peddlers, there’ll be no shortage of excitement this time around.

Also on the horizon is the 2014 Audition Tour, which kicks off in the New Year. Dates and details will be announced shortly. Aspiring entrepreneurs should start polishing up their pitches now for their chance to appear on a new season of DRAGONS’ DEN.

Additionally, for all the young moguls-in-the-making out there, the Future Dragon Fund Contest is accepting submissions until Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014 at 11:59 p.m. ET. In this new contest, Kevin O’Leary is awarding $5000 each to ten ambitious grade 11 and 12 students who show promise as current or future entrepreneurs.

Details and regulations can be found online at cbc.ca/dragonsden/futuredragon. Current grade 11 and 12 students can apply by submitting videos explaining why they deserve to win and what they would do with the $5000 prize money. The winners will be announced each Wednesday until mid-March, 2014.

DRAGONS’ DEN is the highest-rated Canadian unscripted program on during the regular television season, with an average audience of more than 1.2 million Canadians each week. In addition to its success on-air, DRAGONS’ DEN is also a hit online, boasting an active and engaged online community averaging more than 650,000 page views per month. Full episodes and exclusive behind-the-scenes content can be viewed at cbc.ca/dragonsden. DRAGONS’ DEN is filmed at the CBC Broadcasting Centre in Toronto and airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT) and Sundays at 9 p.m. (9:30 NT) on CBC Television. Tracie Tighe is executive producer and Molly Middleton is senior producer. Dianne Buckner hosts.

@cbcdragon  #cbcdragonsden

CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. The Corporation is a leader in reaching Canadians on new platforms and delivers a comprehensive range of radio, television, Internet, and satellite-based services. Deeply rooted in the regions, CBC/Radio-Canada is the only domestic broadcaster to offer diverse regional and cultural perspectives in English, French and eight Aboriginal languages, plus five languages for international audiences. In 2011, CBC/Radio-Canada celebrated 75 years of serving Canadians and being at the centre of the democratic, social and cultural life of Canada.

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Natalie Petozzi

entertainment publicist, CBC Publicity

Natalie.Petozzi@cbc.ca 416 205 2221 (office) / 647 973 1711 (mobile)