Jim Prather
Executive Vice President, Television and Radio Operations
Vice President & General Manager, KTNV-TV

A graduate of Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Jim Prather holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Radio-Television and Political Science, and a Master of Arts degree in Public Affairs Reporting from the University of Illinois-Springfield.

After getting his Master’s Degree, Jim began his career as a government reporter for WICS-TV in Springfield, Illinois.  He later went to work as a government reporter for KARK-TV in Little Rock, where he covered the Bill Clinton-Frank White Gubernatorial campaign and the ensuing Clinton Administration. Prather made the transition to management ranks when he became the assignment editor for KTHV-TV in Little Rock.  During his tenure, he improved hard news coverage which resulted in higher ratings and award-winning newscasts.  Later, Prather served as News Director at KRIS-TV in Corpus Christi, KTXS-TV in Abilene and KSBY-TV in San Luis Obispo.  In 1989 he became Assistant News Director at WMAR-TV in Baltimore.  Two years later he was named News Director at WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee.

During his twelve year tenure in Milwaukee, Prather rebuilt the organizational structure and culture in the TMJ-4 newsroom to provide more viewer-focused newscasts.  In August 1995, Prather was named General Manager of TMJ-4.  With the help of a resurgent NBC prime time, a strong leadership team, and a strategic plan which focused on winning breaking news, weather and investigative reporting, TMJ-4 became the dominant news leader in the Milwaukee marketplace.

In 1997, Prather was named Executive Vice President, Journal Broadcast Group, and in December 1998 became President of the television group.

In August 2003, Prather was appointed VP & General Manager of KTNV and moved to Las Vegas to take on the challenge of growing the station, which is located in Journal Broadcast Group’s single largest revenue market.  In July 2005, Jim was named Executive Vice President Television and Radio Operations of Journal Broadcast Group.

In 2006, KTNV-TV launched the first ever 24-hour digital traffic channel in partnership with Traffic.com®, the leading provider of personalized traffic information for drivers coast to coast.  Through the industry's most comprehensive data collection infrastructure, Traffic.com® offers consumers real-time customized traffic reports in 50 metropolitan areas.

In addition to his duties as general manager of KTNV-TV, Jim oversees Journal Broadcast Group's Boise and Palm Springs Operations. 

Jim is past Secretary-Treasurer of the NBC Affiliate Board.  He has also served on the Faith Community Lutheran Church Council in Summerlin, Nevada.