At an Internet chat session on the ABCnews Web site after his final broadcast, he described his vision of the future of broadcasting. I see the future of human communication as a kind of merger. The company hopes Downs' presence will strengthen its credibility. A broadcasting veteran, Hugh Downs participated in the transition from radio to television and witnessed the explosive growth of that medium.
Internet video represents a coming of age of a new and dynamic vehicle.
Downs' embracing of the Internet has implications for ASU as well, especially in the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Telecommunication and the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication. Cronkite School interim director Fritz Leigh said he sees a great advantage in the use of Internet media. The School of Human Communication also plans to increase the number of courses it offers in Internet media. In the meantime, the future for Internet media seems limitless.