It started at eBay Live in 2003 from Orlando Florida today eBay Radio leaves WSRadio.

What started out as a one hour bi weekly radio show called eBay Radio, which featured a host of Griff, who had guests and took calls, grew into a 2 hour weekly program, followed by a one hour weekly program - the eBay radio PowerSeller Hour and of course Ask Griff a 2 hour phone in program that is now called Ask Griff and Lee.

This past Tuesday Griff announced on the air during eBay radio that starting November 3d the eBay radio programs (including the town hall) were being brought in house and will be done completely through eBay. 

There is a lot of "buzz" about this move.  In fact AuctionBytes did an article on this announcement (link) and received many comments including speculations to whey this move was made by eBay.

Griff stats that the move was made as part of a business move by eBay.  eBay wants more details demographics on who is listening, how many users are listening, etc.  This makes sense.  even though WSRadio has provided information on listeners, eBay hosting it on it's site will be able to tell which members are listening and better target those who are tuning in.

My thoughts:

First, congrats to Lee Miribal for becoming an eBay employee and producer of the eBay Radio shows.  I wish her the best.

Next, I do understand that a business wants data to see what is working and wht is not, and having it in house will be able to gain more data for eBay. 

One drawback I see is that the only way to access eBay radio will be to be signed into your eBay account.  Unfortunately this will prevent the person who is thinking about using eBay to listen to the program  When the show was on WSRadio it had the potential of brining new members into the eBay community.  This change will cut out the option of using the program to promote eBay to non members.

This will also become an obstacle if a person has a suspended account and needs to contact Griff as often other channels do not work when you are suspended.

My last concern is: will you only be able to listen to the program live?  (At this time I do not know if there will be archives of the shows or will you only be able to listen live)

This point sounds like I am being paranoid but it should not be taken this way - I am stating this as one thing that I see could be a problem.  With it being in house will eBay "Filter" callers and comments to be only positive comments about their site?  Will it turn into a infomercial, a tool, to promote eBay instead of being a place where eBay members can feel comfortable (within reason) to express how they feel about eBay, a policy, etc.

Time will tell.