Understanding Network Programming

Nathan Varni is Executive Director, ABC/Hulu Drama Programming and Development. ABC/HULU merged creative departments in the fall of 2024 and now oversees current series and development on new drama series for both platforms.

In this position, Mr. Varni oversees all creative and day-to-day management on ABC’s primetime series, Will Trent, Grey’s Anatomy, High Potential and General Hospital. In past seasons, Mr. Varni served as the covering executive on The Conners, Station 19, Alaska Daily, The Company You Keep, Rebel, The Baker and the Beauty, How to Get Away with Murder, Grand Hotel, Once Upon A Time, Scandal, Cristela, The Middle, Kevin (Probably) Saves the World, the revival of Roseanne and also serves as the network/studio executive on ABC’s long-running daytime drama series, General Hospital, currently celebrating 63 years on-air, where he has oversaw 4000+ episodes of the series, including multiple Daytime Emmy Awards for outstanding daytime drama series. Mr. Varni joined ABC in November, 2006 as an assistant in comedy current programming and also spent time working as a coordinator in comedy development and current programming working on a vast number of both comedy and drama series including According to Jim, Samantha Who?, Better off Ted, Cougar Town, Castle, V, 666 Park Avenue and three seasons co-covering Happy Endings.

Prior to joining ABC, Mr. Varni worked in series development at Regency Television (Malcolm in the Middle, The Bernie Mac Show). While at Regency Mr. Varni assisted with the creative coverage of NBC’s Windfall and FOX’s New Amsterdam. Prior to his time at Regency TV, Mr. Varni worked in reality series as a story assistant for series such as America’s Next Top Model, The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, High School Reunion, For Love or Money and The Next Great Champ. Game show experience includes working on 65 episodes of GSN’s Whammy! The All New Press Your Luck. Mr. Varni served as a production assistant and then Exec Producers assistant on the CBS sitcoms Listen Up and How I Met Your Mother.

Mr. Varni earned a bachelor of arts in television production/media management from California State University Northridge.

Mr. Varni grew up in San Diego and then relocated to the central coast of California. He currently resides in Burbank, California. In his free time, he is an avid film/television fan, enjoys live theatre and spending time volunteering with animal rescue shelters.