The CRTC says 857,000 households across Canada will not be ready when the switch to digital takes place August 31, 2011.

The federal regulator released the numbers on Friday, suggesting that most Canadians won’t notice the change, save those who rely on rabbit-ears to capture over-the-air transmissions. Those homes will have to purchase $75 set-top boxes for each TV to maintain their signals.

In smaller markets more distant from signals, consumers may have to purchase a satellite receiver and dish at a cost of $300-plus. The CRTC estimates that there could be as many as 31,500 such homes.

The regulatory body stressed that broadcasters should begin a program to educate consumers no later than March of next year, and notes that it will begin digital trials in select markets ahead of the August, 2011 deadline.