XM Satellite Radio lost $131.9 million in the third quarter 2005, up from a loss of $118 million in the same period in 2004, the company reported Oct. 27. The increased loss was in spite of revenue growth of 134 percent, from $64 million in the third quarter 2004 to $153 million in the most recent quarter.

Revenue gains were driven by subscriber growth, as XM finished the third quarter 2005 with 5 million subscribers, doubling the 2.5 million subscribers at the end of the third quarter 2004. XM added 617,000 net new subscribers during the third quarter 2005. Subscriber acquisition costs fell from $57 million a year ago to $53 in the most recent quarter, while cost per gross addition remained flat at $89.

XM still expects to end 2005 with more than 6 million subscribers.