Following in the steps of Network Ten, ABC viewers will no longer be able to watch their favourite shows in high definition.

Australia's national broadcaster is preparing to launch a 24-hour news channel later this year, but unfortunately the ABC is running out of digital channels. We've already got ABC1 (main), ABC2 (repeats) and ABC3 (kids) - so the ABC has decided to ditch high-def simulcasts of its main channel and screen constant news on ABC HD. So anything that screens on the ABC will no longer be available in high-def.

At times it's hard to see why Australia even bothers with high-def television broadcasts. Last year viewers paid the price for Ten's 24-hour sport channel. Ten now screens poker tournaments in high-def on One HD, while high-def dramas and sci-fi languish in standard-def on the main channel. I wonder if the ABC will continue to make local programs such as Bed of Roses in high-def, now that no-one will be able to see them in high-def.

ABC chief Mark Scott conceded this week that 24-hour news is not the best use for the ABC's high-def channel and hopes to reshuffle the channels in the future. Lets hope it's sooner rather than later, for the sake of everyone who has spent good money on a high-def TV.