ABC Family hires NBC exec for scripted push

The latest step in ABC Family’s bid to double its original programming output is to hire an NBC comedy development executive.

Simran S. Sethi will join the Disney-ABC Television Group-owned US cable channel as senior VP, original programming and development. She will manage ABC’s scripted team, work on “brand-appropriate” development ideas and oversee pilots.

At NBC, she was SVP, comedy development, working on shows such as the upcoming America Ferrara workplace sitcom Superstore and The Carmichael Show.

Prior to NBC, she was VP, development at Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison prodco, and director of development at Sony Pictures Television, working on drama and comedy for drama and current programming and online portal Crackle.com.

She joins ABC Family on August 24.

Other developments see Jennifer Gerstenblatt upped to VP, current programming and Disney-ABC Television Group business development director George Chen join as VP, strategy and business development.

Karissa Zigarovich has also joined as director, consumer insights.