How to watch Dragons' Den series 23 online: stream for free from anywhere
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Dragons' Den series 23 premiered on January 29th, 2026, and new episodes air weekly on Thursdays at 8:00PM GMT on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The series runs for 14 episodes, split across two runs, with the finale airing on September 24th, 2026.
This season marks a format first. Following Sara Davies's departure in 2025, the four resident Dragons – Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman, and Steven Bartlett – are joined each week by a rotating guest Dragon. Guest investors include Gary Neville, Tinie Tempah, Jenna Meek, Susie Ma, and others.
In the UK, the series is free to watch live and on demand. If you are outside the UK, availability is limited, and a VPN can help you access your usual streaming service while traveling.
Where to watch Dragons' Den series 23
Below are the confirmed official streaming options by country.
| Country | Streaming service | Price | Notes |
| United Kingdom | BBC iPlayer | Free | Live and on-demand. Free BBC account and valid TV licence required. |
| Australia | BINGE | From AU$10.00/month | On-demand episodes of series 23. |
| United States | - | - | No confirmed US streamer for the UK series. BBC iPlayer via VPN is the practical option. |
| Canada | - | - | CBC Gem carries the Canadian version only. No confirmed home for the UK series. |
How to watch Dragons' Den series 23 for free with a VPN
Dragons' Den is free to stream on BBC iPlayer, the BBC's ad-free streaming service. However, BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted and only works with a UK IP address. If you are in the US, Canada, Australia, or anywhere outside the UK, you'll need a VPN to access it.
- Choose a VPN. We recommend NordVPN for streaming. It runs thousands of servers in 225 locations, including many servers in the UK, and consistently unblocks BBC iPlayer in our testing.
- Install the VPN app. Download and install the VPN on your device, such as Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, or a supported smart TV.
- Connect to a UK server. Open the app and select a UK server to get a UK IP address.
- Go to BBC iPlayer. Create a free BBC account if you do not have one. Note that a valid UK TV license is required to watch.
- Start streaming. Find Dragons' Den series 23 and watch live on Thursdays at 8:00PM GMT or on demand.
How to watch Dragons' Den while traveling outside the UK
If you are a UK viewer traveling abroad, BBC iPlayer will block access the moment you connect from a foreign IP address, even though you pay for a TV license at home. A VPN lets you connect to a UK server so iPlayer treats your connection as domestic, restoring access to your free account.
For viewers in Australia, BINGE offers a local, paid option with on-demand episodes, so no VPN is needed there. In the US and Canada, no domestic platform currently carries the UK series, so BBC iPlayer via VPN is the main legitimate route.
Why you need a VPN to watch Dragons' Den
Streaming rights for Dragons' Den are sold country by country. The BBC holds UK rights and restricts iPlayer to UK IP addresses because it is funded by the UK TV license. As such, when trying to access the platform from abroad, you will see an error message.
Other broadcasters license the show separately, which is why availability in the US, Canada, and Australia differs so much.
A VPN routes your connection through a server in the country you choose. For a UK resident abroad, that means connecting back to the UK, so your existing, legitimate iPlayer access keeps working.
However, it doesn't make paid content free, and you still need a valid TV license and a BBC account.
Best VPNs for streaming Dragons' Den
Not every VPN can reliably access BBC iPlayer, which actively blocks VPN traffic. We tested the leading services and picked the three that consistently unblocked iPlayer with fast enough speeds for smooth HD streaming. Here are our top picks:
- NordVPN – best overall for streaming Dragons' Den. It runs thousands of servers in 225 locations, including a large UK fleet, and reliably unblocks BBC iPlayer in our testing. Plans start at $3.49/month. Read our full NordVPN review.
- Surfshark – best value. Long-term plans start at $2.49/month, and one account covers unlimited simultaneous connections, so the whole household can stream at once. Its 4,500+ servers in 100 countries include UK locations that work with BBC iPlayer. See our Surfshark review.
- Proton VPN – best for privacy. Built by the team behind Proton Mail and based in Switzerland, it combines a strong privacy focus with UK servers that work with BBC iPlayer. Paid plans start at $2.99/month. Our Proton VPN review covers its security features in detail.
For a full comparison of VPN options, see our guide to the best VPNs for streaming.
Dragons' Den series 23 overview
Dragons' Den series 23 is one of the biggest shake-ups in the show's history. Sara Davies, a Dragon since 2019, stepped away from the series in 2025 to focus on her business and other commitments. Rather than replace her with a single permanent investor, the BBC introduced a rotating Guest Dragon format for the first time. Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman, and Steven Bartlett remain as the four resident Dragons, with a different guest joining them each week.
The guest lineup mixes business and celebrity names. Football legend Gary Neville, musician and entrepreneur Tinie Tempah, and founders Jenna Meek and Susie Ma each take a seat in the Den across the series. The format keeps the core pitch dynamic intact while giving each episode a slightly different investor mix.
The series runs for 14 episodes in two runs. The first seven episodes aired from January 29th, 2026, and the series returned on August 20th, 2026, with new episodes every Thursday at 8:00PM GMT on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
The finale airs on September 24th, 2026, with Gary Neville returning as guest Dragon.
FAQ
Where can I watch Dragons' Den series 23?
In the UK, watch live on BBC One or stream free on BBC iPlayer. In Australia, episodes are on BINGE. No US or Canadian platform currently carries the UK series, so BBC iPlayer via a reliable VPN is the practical option there.
What time does Dragons' Den series 23 air?
New episodes air Thursdays at 8:00PM GMT on BBC One, with episodes available on BBC iPlayer at the same time. The series finale airs on September 24th, 2026.
How can I watch Dragons' Den from abroad?
BBC iPlayer geo-blocks viewers outside the UK. A VPN lets you connect to a UK server, so iPlayer accepts your connection, restoring access to your free account while you travel. You still need a free BBC account and a valid TV license.
Can I watch Dragons' Den series 23 for free?
Yes, in the UK, it is completely free on BBC iPlayer with a BBC account and a TV license. Outside the UK, there is no free broadcaster, so accessing your BBC iPlayer account via a VPN is the only free and legitimate option.
Who are the Dragons in series 23?
The resident Dragons are Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman, and Steven Bartlett. Each week they are joined by a guest Dragon: Gary Neville, Tinie Tempah, Jenna Meek, Susie Ma, or others. It is the first series without Sara Davies, who departed in 2025.
Which VPN should I use to watch Dragons' Den abroad?
We recommend NordVPN for its reliable BBC iPlayer access and fast UK servers. For a full comparison, see our guide to the best VPNs for streaming.
