SHARK Tank ratings have plummeted by over one million viewers after the show lost its biggest star, Mark Cuban, The U.S. Sun has learned.

In addition to the billionaire leaving the business-forward reality show, certain “gimmicks”, including “stunt casting”, has apparently been a “misfired” decision for the current season.

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Michael Strahan makes his Guest Shark debut alongside Daniel Lubetzky, Daymond John, Barbara Corcoran, Kevin O’Leary, Lori Greiner, and Robert HerjavecCredit: Getty
 

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Mark Cuban on season 16 of Shark TankCredit: Getty
According to Nielsen ratings, the first two episodes of Shark Tank’s latest season suffered a big decline from last year’s ratings.

The season 17 premiere, which aired in September, brought in 1.8 million viewers.

To compare, the season 16 premiere in late 2024 racked up 2.4 million TV sets.

Week two of season 17 dropped to 1.5 million, while in season 16, viewership for season two increased to 2.6 million.

Both seasons are also a significant amount less than season 15, which aired in late 2023 until early 2024.

Season 15’s premiere brought in 3.6 million people while its second episode scored an impressive 3.9 million.

The ratings decline comes after the show lost its richest shark, Mark Cuban, 67, who has a net worth of approximately $6 billion.

In addition to his wealth, Mark has become a household name within pop culture and the sports world – leaving producers with a task of having big shoes to fill.

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From L-R: DAYMOND JOHN, MARK CUBAN, KEVIN O’LEARY, LORI GREINER, ROBERT HERJAVECCredit: Getty
 

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Mark Cuban films season 15 of Shark TankCredit: Getty
According to a production insider, execs felt the pressure of having to replace the former Dallas Mavericks owner and relied on “stunt casting” bigger names for the role.

“Shark Tank has been having to rely on stunt casting every week this season, like Chip and Joanna Gaines and even bringing back past entrepreneurs from other seasons.

“Because they embraced to have a ratings plummet after Mark left and unfortunately that’s  what they got,” a source claimed.

They went on to explain: “The guest shark casting is essentially because the network couldn’t land one big enough name to be a Shark full-time for the whole season.

“Filling Mark’s shoes… that’s a tall order. Big shoes to fill. They knew they couldn’t just bring in anybody.

“Daniel [Lubetzky] was brought on to kind of fill that role but producers knew they needed more so they heightened the amount of guest sharks to up the season’s star power.

“That swing hasn’t translated to ratings though. They swung and they missed. The season is still young though.”

The insider said that the network “did everything they could” to keep Mark – but he was insisted it was his time to leave.

“They kept him around a lot longer than he had originally planned on staying. He has no ill will toward the shows.

“He had to leave to pursue outside interests; it had nothing to do with the co-stars or network or anything like that.”

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Chip and Joanna Gaines make their Guest Shark debut on Shark TankCredit: Getty
 

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Michael Strahan makes his Guest Shark debut alongside Lori GrenierCredit: Getty
The team who built the multi-billion dollar empire that is Magnolia Homes, Chip and Joanna Gaines, made their debut into the Shark Tank this season.

Other guest sharks the show cast include: Michael Strahan, Kendra Scott, Alexis Ohanian, Allison Ellsworth, Fawn Weaver, and Rashaun Williams.

However, Kind food bar founder, Daniel Lubetzky, has been bumped up from a guest shark to a full-time cast member following Mark’s exit.

Shark Tank airs on Wednesdays at 8pm EST on ABC.

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Mark Cuban speaks onstage during the SXSW Conference and Festival at Hilton Austin on March 10, 2025 in Austin, TexasCredit: Getty
 

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Alexis Ohanian makes his Guest Shark debut alongside sharks Kevin, Lori, and DaymondCredit: Getty