This is not a complete answer, just a pointer on one aspect of your question, the relationship between two of your three "interpretations." As you note, not all polyhedral graphs have a realization that is inscribable in a sphere. Here is an explicit example:
"Uninscribable 4-Regular Polyhedron." Electronic Geometry Model No. 2003.08.001. David Eppstein and Michael Dillencourt. (link to abstract and the images below)
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There is a characterization of the inscribable polyhedral graphs, obtained in 1992:
Craig Hodgson, Igor Rivin, and Warren Smith. "A characterization of convex hyperbolic polyhedra and of convex polyhedra inscribed in the sphere." (arXiv link)
Now that I understand better the thrust of the question, this survey by Günter Rote should be helpful:
"Realizing Planar Graphs as Convex Polytopes." Graph Drawing. Lecture Notes in Computer Science Volume 7034, 2012, pp 238-241. (Springer link)