ABC, "Survivor" producer launch bailout program

"The layers we added for a big huge show we've ended up peeling back to make the show more like the original," Dummer said. "The core essence of the show works, and they've done a terrific job with it."

No airdate is set, though a premiere sometime next season seems likely. The sharks include Robert Herjavec (who made his fortune in Internet security systems), Kevin Harrington (infomercials), Barbara Corcoran (real estate), Kevin O'Leary (well-known Canadian investor) and Daymond John (FUBU sportsware).

One aspect of "Shark Tank" that will be noticeably bigger than the previous versions: the deals spawned during the pitches.

"We have made bigger deals and more deals in our pilot than (other versions) make all season," Burnett said. "What country on earth is more entrepreneurial and risk taking than the United States of America? Here we have businesses and jobs being created, and it's a great feeling."

(Editing by Dean Goodman at Reuters)