It’s a major victory for cable and satellite companies.

The Supreme Court of Canada says the CRTC cannot  force them to pay broadcasters to carry their signals.

The broadcast regulator had asked for a legal ruling on whether it had the power to set up what’s known as a value-for-signal system.

Right now, cable companies re-broadcast major tv stations for free.

Broadcasters argued the revenue was needed to support local programming.

Cable and satellite firms said they would be forced to pass the fee along to consumers.