The Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lighting Design / Lighting Direction for a Variety Series is awarded to one television series each year. Prior to 2011, the award was bestowed as Outstanding Lighting Direction (Electronic, Multi-Camera) for Variety, Music or Comedy Programming. Separate awards now recognize series and variety specials.
In the following list, the first titles listed in gold are the winners; those not in gold are nominees, which are listed in alphabetical order. The years given are those in which the ceremonies took place.
Winners and nominations
Outstanding Lighting Direction (Electronic) 1980s Year Program Episode Nominees Network 1980(32nd) F.D.R.: The Last Year Peter G. Edwards, William Knight, Peter S. Passas NBCThe Big Show "Sarah Purcell and Flip Wilson" William M. Klages NBC The Cheryl Ladd Special: Souvenirs Fred McKinnon, Mark Palius ABC Goldie and Liza Together Daniel Flannery, William M. Klages CBS The Tender Land Tony Di Girolamo PBS The Unbroken Circle: A Tribute to Mother Maybelle John Freschi, George W. Riesenberger CBS 1981(33rd) Nureyev and the Joffrey Ballet in Tribute to Nijinsky (Great Performances) Ralph Holmes PBS A Bayou Legend George Riesenberger PBS Command Performance: The Stars Salute to the President Fred McKinnon NBC Diana Allen Branton, Gregory Brunton CBS The Osmond Family Christmas Show Leard Davis NBC Sixty Years of Seduction Gregory Brunton ABC The 35th Annual Tony Awards Carl Vitelli CBS 1982(34th) Working (American Playhouse) George Riesenberger, Ken Dettling PBS Debby Boone... One Step Closer Gregory Brunton NBC I Love Liberty Fred McKinnon, Mark Palius ABC The Nashville Palace "Tammy Wynette, George Jones and Minnie Pearl" Leard Davis NBC Night of 100 Stars William Klages ABCSolid Gold "Marilyn McCoo and the Charlie Daniels Band" Bob Dickinson, Harold Guy Syndicated
Outstanding Lighting Direction (Electronic) for a Series {| class="wikitable" style="width:100%" |- bgcolor="#bebebe" ! width="5%" | Year ! width="25%" | Program ! width="20%" | Episode ! width="45%" | Nominees ! width="5%" | Network |- | rowspan=5 style="text-align:center" | 1983(35th) |- style="background:#FAEB86" |Solid Gold | align=center| "Dolly Parton" | Bob Dickinson, Frank Olivas | Syndicated |- | rowspan=2|Benson | align=center| "Boys Night Out" | Alan K. Walker | rowspan=2|ABC |- | align=center| "Death in a Funny Position" | Alan K. Walker, John C. Zak |- |Rock 'n' Roll Tonite | align=center| "Molly Hatchett and Quiet Riot" | Mikel Neiers, Kieran Healy | Syndicated |- | rowspan=5 style="text-align:center" | 1984(36th) |- style="background:#FAEB86" |Solid Gold | align=center| "198" | Bob Dickinson, Frank Olivas | Syndicated |- |Night Court | align=center| "Birthday Boy" | Mikel Neiers | rowspan=2|NBC |- |Night Court | align=center| "Bull's Baby" | John Appelroth |- |Oh Madeline | align=center| "Sisters" | Alan K. Walker | ABC |- | rowspan=5 style="text-align:center" | 1985(37th) |- style="background:#FAEB86" |Mr. Belvedere | align=center| "Strangers in the Night" | George Spiro Dibie | ABC |- | rowspan=2|Night Court | align=center| "Billie's Valentine" | John Appelroth | rowspan=2|NBC |- | align=center| "Bull Gets a Kid" | Mark Buxbaum |- |Solid Gold | align=center| "230" | Bob Dickinson | Syndicated |- | rowspan=6 style="text-align:center" | 1986(38th) |- style="background:#FAEB86" |Solid Gold | align=center| "283" | Bob Dickinson | Syndicated |- |The Golden Girls | align=center| "On Golden Girls" | Alan K. Walker | rowspan=3|NBC |- |Night Court | align=center| "Leon We Hardly Knew Ye" | George Spiro Dibie |- |Silver Spoons | align=center| "Rick Sings" | Mark Buxbaum |- |Who's the Boss? | align=center| "Charmed Lives" | Mark J. Levin | ABC |- | rowspan=5 style="text-align:center" | 1987(39th) |- style="background:#FAEB86" |Growing Pains | align=center| "My Brother, Myself" | George Spiro Dibie | ABC |- |Keep on Cruisin| align=center| "Mark C. Bloome" | Jeff Engel | CBS |- |Married... with Children | align=center| "But I Didn't Shoot the Deputy" | Mark Buxbaum | Fox |- |Who's the Boss? | align=center| "The Proposal" | Mark J. Levin | ABC |- |}Outstanding Lighting Direction (Electronic) for a Comedy Series Year Program Episode Nominees Network 1988(40th)The Charmings "The Witch Is of Van Oaks" Mark Buxbaum ABCThe Golden Girls "Old Friends" Alan K. Walker NBCMarried... with Children "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" Ted C. Polmanski, Gavin Wishart FoxNight Court "Constitution, Part 2" George Spiro Dibie NBCWho's the Boss? "Two on a Billboard" Mark J. Levin ABC 1989(41st)Who's the Boss? "A Spirited Christmas" Mark J. Levin ABCFamily Ties "Alex Doesn't Live Here Anymore" Robert F. LiuNBCThe Golden Girls "Yokel Hero" Alan K. WalkerNight Court "Danny Got His Gun, Part 3" Bob Berry
1990s Year Program Episode Nominees Network 1990(42nd)Just the Ten of Us "Highway to Heaven" George Spiro Dibie ABCBagdad Cafe "Prototype" Donald A. Morgan CBSThe Golden Girls "Ebb Tide" Alan K. Walker NBCRoseanne "Boo" Daniel FlanneryABCWho's the Boss? "The All-Nighter" Mark J. Levin 1991(43rd)Growing Pains "Happy Halloween" George Spiro Dibie ABCThe Golden Girls "The Bloom Is Off the Rose" Alan K. WalkerNBCNight Court "Hey Harry, F'Crying Out Loud — It Is a Wonderful Life... Sorta" Charles L. BarbeeWho's the Boss? "Starlight Memories" Mark J. Levin ABC 1992(44th)Home Improvement "Luck Be a Taylor Tonight" Donald A. Morgan ABCDavis Rules "A Foggy Day on Puget Sound" Jo Mayer CBSGrowing Pains "Home Malone" George Spiro Dibie ABCNight Court "A Guy Named Phantom, Part 1" Charles L. Barbee NBC 1993(45th)Home Improvement "Bye Bye Birdie" Donald A. Morgan ABCBlossom "Ruby" Alan K. Walker NBCDudley "It Was a Wonderful Life" George Spiro Dibie, Kim Killingsworth CBSRoseanne "Halloween IV" Daniel Flannery ABC 1994(46th)Home Improvement "Twas the Blight" Donald A. Morgan ABCThe John Larroquette Show "Pilot" Alan K. Walker NBCRoseanne "White Trash Christmas" Daniel Flannery ABC 1995(47th)Home Improvement "My Dinner with Wilson" Donald A. MorganABCSister, Sister "It's a Love Thang" George Spiro DibieThe John Larroquette Show "In the Pink" Alan K. Walker NBCLiving Single "Thanks for Giving" Bryan Hays Fox 1996(48th)Home Improvement "Room Without a View" Donald A. Morgan ABCThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air "Burnin' Down the House" Art BuschNBCThe John Larroquette Show "Here We Go Again" Alan K. WalkerLiving Single "A Raze in Harlem" Bryan Hays FoxSister, Sister "Thanksgiving in Hawaii, Part 2" George Spiro Dibie The WB 1997(49th)Cosby "Pilot" Alan K. Walker CBSHome Improvement "I Was a Teenage Taylor" Donald A. Morgan ABCIn the House "Curse of the Hill House" Art Busch UPNThe Larry Sanders Show "Ellen, or Isn't She" Peter Smokler HBOSister, Sister "The Ski Squad" George Spiro Dibie The WB 1998(50th)Home Improvement "A Night to Dismember" Donald A. Morgan ABCThe Larry Sanders Show "Flip" Peter Smokler HBOThe Nanny "The Wedding" James Jensen CBSSister, Sister "Mo' Credit, Mo' Problems" George Spiro Dibie The WB 1999(51st)Home Improvement "Mark's Big Break" Donald A. Morgan ABCMr. Show with Bob and David "Like Chickens... Delicious Chickens" Simon Miles HBORude Awakening "Don't Do the Strippers" Alan K. Walker ShowtimeOutstanding Lighting Direction (Electronic)2000s Year Program Episode Nominees Network 2000(52nd) Fail Safe John A. Alonzo, Kim Killingsworth CBS The 72nd Annual Academy Awards Robert Barnhart, Robert A. Dickinson, Matt Firestone, Andy O'Reilly ABC Arista Records' 25th Anniversary Celebration Olin Younger NBC Cher: Live in Concert — From the MGM Grand in Las Vegas Tom Beck, Allen Branton, Christian Choi, Victor Fable, Michael Goodwin, Jeff Johnson, Jim Straw, Patrick Woodroffe HBOThe Tonight Show with Jay Leno "1738" Patrick Steele, Gary Thorns NBCOutstanding Lighting Direction (Electronic, Multi-Camera) for Variety, Music or Comedy Programming Year Program Episode Nominees Network 2001(53rd) Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band Gregg Maltby, Jeff Ravitz HBO The 73rd Annual Academy Awards Robert Barnhart, Robert A. Dickinson, Matt Firestone, Andy O'Reilly ABC Barbra Streisand: Timeless Bob Dickinson, Peter Morse FoxPolitically Incorrect with Bill Maher "01-921" Jeff Engel ABCThe Tonight Show with Jay Leno "1865" Patrick Steele, Gary Thorns NBC 2002(54th) Opening Ceremony Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games Robert A. Dickinson, David Grill, Andy O'Reilly NBC The 74th Annual Academy Awards Robert Barnhart, Robert A. Dickinson, Andy O'Reilly ABC A&E in Concert: Sting in Tuscany ...All This Time Stan Crocker, David Rudd A&E America: A Tribute to Heroes LeRoy Bennett, Patrick Dierson, Matt Ford, Kieran Healy, Rod Yemane America: A Tribute to Heroes was simulcast live on 35 network and cable outlets. The Emmys listed no individual network with this nomination.Survivor "Finale and Reunion" Tim Sheldon CBS 2003(55th) The 75th Annual Academy Awards Robert Barnhart, Robert A. Dickinson, Andy O'Reilly ABC American Idol "Finale" Matt Ford, Kieran Healy, George Harvey Fox Cher — The Farewell Tour Bob Barnhart, Bobby Dickinson, Matt Firestone, Abby Holmes, Kille Knobel NBC Rolling Stones — Licks World Tour, Live from Madison Square Garden Robert Barnhart, Dave Hill, Jim Straw, Ethan Weber, Patrick Woodroffe HBO 2004(56th) The 46th Annual Grammy Awards Robert Barnhart, Robert A. Dickinson, Matt Firestone, Andy O'Reilly CBS A&E in Concert: Paul McCartney in Red Square Roy Bennett, Craig Braden, Wally LeesA&E A&E in Concert: Sting — Sacred Love Stan Crocker, David Rudd The 76th Annual Academy Awards Robert A. Dickinson, Robert Barnhart, Andy O'Reilly ABC American Idol "Finale" Matthew Firestone, Kieran Healy, George Harvey Fox Late Show with David Letterman "2117" Steven Brill, Timothy Stephenson CBS 2005(57th) The Games Of The XXVIII Olympiad — Opening Ceremony Eleftheria Deko, Robert A. Dickinson, Andy O'Reilly, Theodore Tsevas, Ted Wells NBC The 77th Annual Academy Awards Robert A. Dickinson, Robert Barnhart, Andy O'Reilly ABC American Idol "Finale, Part 2" Kieran Healy, George Harvey, Eli McKinney Fox Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival (Great Performances) Stan Crocker PBS Late Show with David Letterman "2269" Steven Brill, Timothy Stephenson CBS 2006(58th) 2005 American Music Awards Harry Sangmeister, Olin Younger ABC The 78th Annual Academy Awards Robert A. Dickinson, Robert Barnhart, Andy O'Reilly ABCAmerican Idol "American Classics Songbook with Rod Stewart" Kieran Healy, George Harvey, Eli McKinneyFox "Finale" Kieran Healy, George Harvey, Harry Sangmeister Late Night with Conan O'Brien "2226" Fred Bock NBC 2007(59th) The 49th Annual Grammy Awards Robert A. Dickinson, Matt Firestone, Andy O'Reilly CBS The 79th Annual Academy Awards Robert A. Dickinson, Robert Barnhart, Andy O'Reilly ABC American Idol "Finale" Kieran Healy, George Harvey, Harry Sangmeister Fox Dancing with the Stars "308" Simon Miles ABC Late Night with Conan O'Brien "2408" Fred Bock, Ronnie Skopac, Eugene Meienhofer NBC 2008(60th) The 50th Annual Grammy Awards Robert A. Dickinson, Matt Firestone, Andy O'Reilly CBS The 80th Annual Academy Awards Robert A. Dickinson, Robert Barnhart, Andy O'ReillyABC Dancing with the Stars "510A" Simon Miles Late Night with Conan O'Brien "2518" Fred Bock NBC Late Show with David Letterman "2843" Steven Brill, Timothy Stephenson CBS 2009(61st) American Idol "Finale" Kieran Healy, Joshua Hutchings, George Harvey Fox The 81st Annual Academy Awards Robert A. Dickinson, Robert Barnhart, Andy O'ReillyABC Dancing with the Stars "702A" Simon Miles Jimmy Kimmel Live! "09-1182" Christian Hibbard, Matt Ford Late Show with David Letterman "3074" Steven Brill, Timothy Stephenson CBS Saturday Night Live "Host: Hugh Laurie" Geoff Amoral, Rick McGuinness NBC
2010s