(April 4, 2016 - Beijing/ London) IPCN, the leading TV producer and rights content distributor focusing on the Chinese market has been commissioned by broadcaster Shenzhen TV to produce a local adaptation of the hit reality TV format 'Dragons' Den,' also known as 'Shark Tank' featuring China's most prominent business leaders.

'Dragons' Den' an award-winning business entertainment format franchise, is based upon the Japanese format created by Nippon Television Network Corporation (Nippon TV) and has been produced in countries across the globe, including the UK on BBC2 and the USA on ABC. It will air on Shenzhen TV on 22nd May 2016.

IPCN's Shanghai-based production team is producing the 12 x 60' series. Ms. Zhang Zhen from Shenzhen TV commissioned the show and the Executive Producer is IPCN's CEO Rebecca Yang.

"We're delighted to be welcoming some of China's most prominent business leaders to 'Dragons' Den'. We are also proud to be producing the original format adaptation for the first time in China" said IPCN's CEO Rebecca Yang.

"We are very excited to bring our format for the first time to an Asian country other than Japan, making this the 27th country that has adapted the 'Dragons' Den' format. We have great confidence that the audience in China will truly enjoy this riveting show" said Nippon TV's Yukiko Kimishima, Divisional President, International Business Development.

The business leaders appearing in the series include Mr. Xu Xiaoping, one of China's foremost angel investors, founder of ZhenFund and co-founder and former Vice Chairman of New Oriental Education & Technology Group (NYSE: EDU), the largest provider of private education in China. In 2004 Forbes Magazine listed Mr. Xiaoping as one of the 'Top 100 Celebrities in China'.

Also appearing is a pioneer in China's Internet industry, founder of 58.com Mr. Jinbo Yao. Prior to establishing the company, in 2000, Mr. Yao founded domain.cn, a domain name transaction and value-added service website in China. Mr. Yao currently serves on the board of directors of Xueda Education Group, a company he also co-founded and listed on the NYSE.

IPCN produces a number of local versions of global TV formats for Chinese broadcasters including 'The Secret Millionaire' for Dragon TV, "Supernanny" for Anhui TV and 'China's Next Top Model' for CQTV.

The company recently announced a co production agreement with STV Productions to create a new factual entertainment format 'Journey to the Precious' which is inspired by STV Production's 'Celebrity Antiques Road Trip'.

IPCN is headquartered in Shanghai with offices in Beijing, London and Hong Kong.

About IPCN
IPCN (International Programme Content Network) is a leading international entertainment business with an enviable track record for brokering and managing rights, distributing content and producing programming and ad funded content for the rapidly growing Chinese market.
Founded in London in 2007 by Rebecca Yang and former ITV CEO Mick Desmond, the company has worked with numerous broadcasters, production companies and brands in China, and has successfully helped many international content creators - including NBC Universal, Sony Pictures Television, Talpa Distribution and FremantleMedia - broker deals in the country. To date, IPCN has been responsible for more than 35 major format deals, bringing in excess of 5,000 hours of international TV to the Chinese market, including such global hits as 'Secret Millionaire', 'So You Think You Can Dance', 'Supernanny', 'China's Got Talent' and 'The Voice of China'.
In addition to expertise in negotiating format deals, IPCN's talented and commercially astute team also produces a number of the programmes - including 'China's Next Top Model' and 'Supernanny', it offers a wide range of broadcast consultancy services and creates innovative sponsorships and offline activities for leading brands, keen to associate with ratings-winning TV shows.
With offices in China and London IPCN has established enduring relationships with local broadcasters, local and international producers and global brands. A 2015 investment from Gravity, China Media Capital's investment vehicle, will ensure these relationships continue to develop, as well as allow the business to boost IP creation and original content production, including a move into drama and comedy, for both the domestic Chinese and global broadcast markets.
http://www.ipcn.co.uk/