or


[05/04/16 - 10:49 AM]
National Geographic Launches a Covert Investigation Into the Disappearance of Adventurer Cody Dial in Riveting True-Crime Series, "Missing Dial"
The six-part series launches Sunday, May 22 at 10:00/9:00c on the network.

[via press release from National Geographic Channel]

LOST IN THE JUNGLE, ABDUCTED OR MURDERED?

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LAUNCHES A COVERT INVESTIGATION INTO THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ADVENTURER CODY DIAL IN RIVETING TRUE-CRIME SERIES, "MISSING DIAL"

"You don't know how bad agony can be until your son has gone missing and no one can tell you what's happened. It's a pain that keeps me awake every night, and it's the same pain that drives me on my search for answers." - Roman Dial, father and National Geographic explorer

Six-Part Series Missing Dial Premieres Sunday, May 22, at 10/9c

(WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 4, 2016) National Geographic Channel, a brand synonymous with exploration and adventure, has announced a new foray into the true-crime genre with a covert investigation that hits close to home. In July 2014, 27-year-old experienced outdoorsman Cody Dial, the son of esteemed National Geographic Explorer Roman Dial, embarked on an expedition through the Corcovado National Park in Costa Rica - a dense rain forest in a region known for illegal gold-mining and illicit activity. He never emerged. Did he get lost? Did he get hurt? Or, did something far more sinister happen?

Cody's parents, Roman and Peggy Dial, have repeatedly contacted the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica, begging for help, and they have spent months searching the region on their own with few results. Now they've returned to Costa Rica, and this time, with a team of highly trained independent investigators and a camera crew in tow. "I hoped private investigators and the presence of a film crew would add urgency and create new momentum in the search," explained Roman Dial. "I was right - within a week, we received a significant break in the case."

National Geographic Channel's new six-part documentary crime series Missing Dial, premiering on Sunday, May 22, at 10/9c (and available day after air on Hulu and on VOD and TVE platforms), takes viewers inside the deeply personal and truly captivating investigation into Cody's mysterious disappearance. Watch the trailer.

"Missing Dial is more than just a true-crime series where filmmakers look back at past cases," explained Tim Pastore, president, original programming & production for National Geographic Channel. "National Geographic not only captured the sensitive and personal journey of the Dials, but also exposed in real time the nuances of this intricate and delicate missing person investigation as clues and leads were being unearthed."

No stone is left unturned in the search for Cody. Roman, along with a former DEA special agent and a retired United States Air Force pararescue jumper/wilderness expert spent nearly eight months in Costa Rica. There, they interviewed every witness, interrogated every suspect and trekked deep into the jungle in pursuit of new leads. This series pushes further and digs deeper into the mystery, retracing Cody's last-known whereabouts and using hidden cameras and fake identities to uncover a web of lies, surprising clues and a shocking plot twist that rivals that of a blockbuster movie.

The investigative team:

Roman Dial - A renowned Alaskan adventurer and the pioneer of several adventure racing sports - including packrafting, long-distance wilderness ice-skating and canopy trekking - Roman is also a professor of mathematics and biology at Alaska Pacific University. He is best known for his National Geographic sponsored traverse of the Alaska Range via mountain bike and packraft in 1996. In 1993, Roman took his then 6-year-old son Cody on his first expedition: a 60-mile trek across Umnak Island in the Aleutians. They went on to complete several wilderness trips together in Alaska, Borneo, Bhutan, Mexico, Costa Rica and Australia. Since Cody's mysterious disappearance while on an expedition in Costa Rica in 2014, Roman has spent much of his time searching for the truth.

Kenneth Fornier - A retired USAF pararescue jumper, Ken is a highly skilled wilderness expert in search, rescue and recovery. He is known for infiltrating dangerous environments, dealing with local populations and building networks of information to achieve results.

Carson Ulrich - A former DEA special agent, Carson has worked in Central America for the past two decades. He knows all the players on the ground, as this is his area of operation. Just back from two tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, Carson is highly skilled at getting results in hostile situations and is fluent in Spanish, which helped him get information from locals during the investigation.

Missing Dial is produced by This is Just a Test for National Geographic Channels. Aengus James and Colin King Miller are executive producers for This is Just a Test, along with JT Ladt, Vincent Dipersio and Jeff Sells. For National Geographic Channel, executive producer is Brian Skope, vice president of production is Kevin Tao Mohs and Tim Pastore is president, original programming & production.

# # #

About National Geographic Channels

The National Geographic Channels (The Channels) form the television and production arm of National Geographic Partners, a joint venture between 21st Century Fox and the National Geographic Society. As a global leader in premium science, adventure and exploration programming, the Channels include: National Geographic Channel (NGC), Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo People and Nat Geo MUNDO. Additionally, the Channels also run the in-house television production unit, National Geographic Studios. The Channels contribute to the National Geographic Society's commitment to exploration, conservation and education with entertaining, innovative programming from A-level talent around the world, and with profits that help support the society's mission. Globally, NGC is available in more than 440 million homes in 171 countries and 45 languages, and Nat Geo WILD is available in 131 countries and 38 languages. National Geographic Partners is also a leader in social media, with a fan base of 250 million people across all of its social pages. NGC contributes over 55 million social media fans globally on Facebook alone. For more information, visit www.natgeotv.com and www.natgeowild.com.





  [may 2016]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S


· MISSING DIAL (NGC)





[10/24/25 - 02:30 PM]
Video: First Look at Upcoming New Drama "Memory of a Killer" Starring Patrick Dempsey and Michael Imperioli - Premiering This January on FOX
Dempsey stars as a hitman, Angelo Doyle, leading a dangerous double life while hiding an even deadlier personal secret - he has developed early onset Alzheimer's.

[10/24/25 - 02:02 PM]
"20/20" Is Friday's Most-Watched Newsmagazine Across the Board
In addition, "20/20" posted its best Adults 25-54 in more than four months.

[10/24/25 - 02:01 PM]
ABC News' "Nightline" Ranks No. 1 Across the Board, Leading NBC in All Key Demos for the 4th Straight Week
"Nightline" grew year to year across the board: Total Viewers, Adults 25-54, and Adults 18-49.

[10/24/25 - 01:05 PM]
"Dancing with the Stars" Makes Television History - Rising for Fifth Straight Week
The October 21 episode scored 6.63 million Total Viewers and a 1.38 rating among Adults 18-49, hitting new season highs in both demographics.

[10/24/25 - 08:01 AM]
Netflix Announces "Hollywood Arts," A Brand-New Spinoff of Hit Live-Action, "Victorious," with Daniella Monet Returning as Star and Executive Producer
The series is set to debut on Netflix in 2026, followed by releases on Nickelodeon and Paramount+.

[10/24/25 - 07:14 AM]
FOX Sports Readies for Major League Baseball's 121st World Series Presented by Capital One
Action leads off Friday, October 24, between the National League and current reigning World champion Los Angeles Dodgers and American League champion Toronto Blue Jays from Rogers Centre in Toronto, Canada, on FOX, FOX Deportes, the FOX Sports App and FOX One.

[10/24/25 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "Love Is Blind" Season 9: The Reunion - Official Trailer - Netflix
Denver singles shake up their search for "the one" and step into the pods, braving twists, turns and love triangles to find their soulmate sight unseen.

[10/24/25 - 07:01 AM]
Experience the Family, the Fun, and the Fantastic! Marvel Studios' "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" Lands Exclusively on Disney+ November 5
Continuing the celebration of Marvel's First Family, the announcement was made live from SpaceCon 2025 in San Antonio, where The Fantastic Four: First Steps Immersive Pop-Up Experience invites attendees to step inside the iconic Baxter Building.

[10/24/25 - 06:00 AM]
The CW Network and Xfinity Celebrate 11 Years of the NASCAR Xfinity Series by Presenting the Third Stage of the Championship Race Commercial-Free
Taking place in Phoenix, Arizona, on Saturday, November 1, the commercial-free stage presented by Xfinity was created to thank the loyal race fans who have supported the NASCAR Xfinity Series for more than a decade - helping the series grow through their unwavering enthusiasm, increased viewership, and continued trackside attendance.

[10/23/25 - 05:01 PM]
Video: "As You Stood By" - Official Trailer - Netflix
When two women plot to end an abusive marriage through murder, an unexpected visitor arrives - threatening to shatter everything they've carefully planned.

[10/23/25 - 02:33 PM]
Largest Audience for "NBA Tip-Off" Doubleheader Since 2010 as NBA Returned to NBC and Debuted on Peacock
Tuesday night's audience across NBC and Peacock peaked at 7.1 million viewers from 10:45-11 p.m. ET as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder to a one-point win over the Houston Rockets in double overtime.

[10/23/25 - 02:28 PM]
The 305 Just Got Hotter: "Love & Hip Hop: Miami" Moves to BET Season 7 Premieres Tuesday, November 4 at 8 PM ET/PT
The upcoming seventh season dives deeper than ever into Miami's thriving entertainment scene, following a cast of stars who are rebuilding, rebranding, and redefining success in real time.

[10/23/25 - 01:30 PM]
Critically Acclaimed Noir Thriller, "Dark Winds," to Return to AMC and AMC+ Sunday, February 15
The series' gripping fourth season focuses on the search for a missing Navajo girl, which takes Leaphorn, Chee and Manuelito from the safety of Navajo Nation to the gritty terrain of 1970s Los Angeles in a race against the clock to save her from an obsessive killer with ties to organized crime.

[10/23/25 - 12:01 PM]
Video: BET+ Releases Trailer for Horror Film "A Demon's Revenge"
In the film, following the bloodshed in Belize, Peaches, played by Jhoné Lucas, delves deeper into Caribbean folklore and the terrifying truth that lurks beneath.

[10/23/25 - 12:00 PM]
FOX Entertainment Acquires Equity Stake in Chain, Forging Strategic Partnership with Experiential Food Phenomenon Co-Founded by B.J. Novak
Included in the investment is a first look development deal through Chain Media.