You're sitting there with a killer idea for a weed-whacker that also makes margaritas, and suddenly you realize you’ve missed the first fifteen minutes of the show. It’s frustrating. Truly. Keeping track of the shark tank tv schedule shouldn't feel like trying to pitch a pre-revenue tech startup to Kevin O’Leary on a bad day, but between mid-season breaks, holiday specials, and the move to streaming, it’s a lot.
ABC usually keeps the lights on for the Sharks on Friday nights at 8:00 PM Eastern Time. That’s the classic slot. The "TGIF" legacy lives on through the lens of venture capital and royalty deals. But if you’re looking for a rerun or a specific guest shark episode, you’re basically diving into a sea of syndication on CNBC or Hulu.
Where to Watch and Why the Time Changes
So, here is the deal. For Season 16 and beyond, ABC remains the primary home. Friday nights are the bread and butter. However, sports often mess things up. If there is a major NBA game or a specific news event, the shark tank tv schedule gets bumped. Sometimes it slides to a Sunday, though that’s rare for new episodes.
You've probably noticed that CNBC plays the show almost on a loop. They’ve got the cable rights. While ABC handles the premieres, CNBC is where you go for the "marathon" feel. It’s perfect background noise for when you’re folding laundry or actually trying to write a business plan. On CNBC, you’ll usually find blocks of episodes on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, often starting around 7:00 PM or 8:00 PM.
Then there is the streaming factor. Hulu is the savior for the cord-cutters. New episodes usually drop at 3:00 AM Eastern the morning after they air on broadcast. If you’re in California, that’s midnight. You can wake up, grab your coffee, and see if Mark Cuban lost his mind over a 10% equity ask before the sun even comes up.
The Guest Shark Factor
The schedule isn't just about time; it’s about who is in the chair. The rotation matters. When a big name like Daniel Lubetzky (who recently became a regular) or a guest like Gwyneth Paltrow or Emma Grede is on, ABC tends to promote those episodes more heavily.
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- Standard Sharks: Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran, Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec, Daymond John, and Kevin O'Leary.
- The Schedule Impact: Usually, if it’s a "special" episode—like the ones filmed on location or featuring a specific theme like "Eco-friendly products"—the network sticks to the Friday slot but might double up with a repeat afterward.
Understanding the Season Cycle
Most people don't realize that Shark Tank follows a very specific production cycle. They film in "mini-marathons" twice a year. Usually in early summer and then again in early fall. They might film 20-30 pitches in a few days.
This means the "new" episodes you see in March were likely filmed back in June of the previous year. Because of this gap, the shark tank tv schedule can sometimes feel a bit disconnected from current trends. If a founder mentions a "current" event, it might actually be six months old.
The season typically premieres in late September. It runs through May. There is almost always a "winter hiatus" where the show goes dark for a few weeks in December and January. If you tune in during the week of Christmas, expect a repeat. Every single time.
The CNBC Rerun Logic
CNBC doesn't just play episodes at random. They often curate them. You’ll see "The Best of Lori" or "Biggest Fails" blocks. If you are looking for the shark tank tv schedule on cable, check the late-night listings. They often run episodes until 1:00 AM or 2:00 AM. It’s addictive. One minute you’re watching a guy pitch a cat toilet trainer, and the next it’s three in the morning and you’re convinced you need to buy a Scrub Daddy.
Local Variations and Time Zones
Don't forget the "Mountain Time" struggle.
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If you are in the Central Time zone, your shark tank tv schedule is 7:00 PM. Mountain and Pacific usually see it at 8:00 PM local time, but this depends on your specific ABC affiliate. Some local stations in smaller markets might delay the broadcast for high school football or local news specials.
Honestly, the best way to be sure is to use the "Live TV" tab on the ABC app or check the digital grid on your remote about two hours before you plan to watch.
Why the Friday Night Slot Matters
Many shows go to Friday night to die. It’s often called the "Friday Night Death Slot." But Shark Tank is the exception. It has thrived there for years. Why? Because it’s co-viewing. Parents watch it with their kids. It’s one of the few shows that actually teaches financial literacy without being boring as dirt.
The network knows this. They keep the shark tank tv schedule consistent on Fridays because it anchors their entire weekend lineup.
Digital Alternatives for the Busy Founder
If you missed the live airing, you aren't out of luck.
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- ABC.com: They usually keep the last five episodes for free, though you might have to sit through some unskippable ads for insurance or prescription meds.
- Hulu: As mentioned, it's the gold standard for catch-up.
- YouTube TV/Fubo: These services act like a DVR. You can just "follow" the show and it will record every instance of it across ABC and CNBC. This is basically the "pro move" for fans.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Founders
If you’re a fan or someone hoping to see their own product on that carpet one day, you need to treat the schedule with a bit of strategy.
First, set a recurring alert on your phone for Friday at 7:55 PM. The first pitch is often the strongest of the night, and you don't want to miss the intro package where they show the founder’s "home life." That's where the real storytelling happens.
Second, if you’re looking for a specific episode—say, the one where the "Cup Board Pro" broke everyone's heart—use the episode numbers from sites like IMDb rather than searching by date. TV listings can be messy, but episode codes (like S10 E03) are forever.
Third, keep an eye on the official Shark Tank social media accounts on Thursday afternoons. They almost always drop a "sneak peek" video. This gives you a heads-up on whether the episode is worth staying home for or if you can just catch it on Hulu the next day.
Finally, remember that the "Update" segments (where they check in on past businesses) usually happen right after the second pitch. If you only care about how the businesses are doing a year later, that’s your window. The shark tank tv schedule is pretty formulaic once you crack the code: Pitch, Pitch, Update, Pitch, Pitch.
Mark your calendar. Grab your popcorn. Watch those equity percentages.