The value of the deals between satellite radio operators and automakers becomes evident when announcements such as that made by XM Satellite Radio are released. Today, XM said that General Motors has signed up its one-millionth subscriber, although the announcement did not say how many of those one million subscribers are still active subscribers or if they let their subscriptions lapse. XM said that one out of every three GM cars that roll off the factory assembly line is equipped with an XM receiver.

“GM’s strong, long-term commitment to XM is one of the reasons why we are the no. 1 satellite radio company,” said XM President and CEO Hugh Panero. “We’re extremely pleased that GM customers have embraced XM and we’re proud to join our friends at GM in celebrating this latest milestone of our partnership.”