Mark Webber has waded into a social media storm over Australian coverage of Formula 1, using his might to force a u-turn on their unfavourable scheduling.
Network Ten, which has the rights to broadcast the sport in Australia, has switched coverage for Perth and Adelaide back to OneHD following its original decision to delay the broadcasts after the race and show them on its main channel, Ten, in standard definition.
It’s reported the original move was aimed at hitting a peak audience to attract more advertising revenue, but the network didn’t count on such a powerful backlash from F1 fans in the country.
Thousands bombarded Network Ten’s Twitter and Facebook pages, whilst others called on Australia’s own Mark Webber to use his status to overturn the decision.
Webber tweeted the following: “Come on @tensporttv @onehd I hear our great Australian motor sport fans are not happy with rescheduling of timings of the GPs. #letsgolive.”
Just an hour later, the broadcaster announced it would reinstate live coverage on OneHD for Perth and Adelaide, whilst Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane would continue to received the non-HD coverage on Ten, live.