After Wednesday, most Canadians who receive their television signal via over-the-air analog transmission will suddenly find their favourite shows replaced by static and "snow."

Most television stations are pulling the plug on their analog broadcasts (usually received via an old-fashioned antenna or rabbit ears) and replacing them with a digital over-the-air signal.

CTV Regina made the switch to digital early – the transition happened at midnight Wednesday. Wade Moffatt, vice-president and general manager of CTV Saskatchewan, helped power up the new digital transmitter.

"When you look at the last 57 years, we have helped so many not-for-profit groups; we've entertained viewers and told (them) what they want to hear," Moffatt said.

"And now, moving ahead, we are going to do the same thing."

Customers who receive their television via cable or a satellite dish won't be affected by the change.

Those who rely on the free analog signal, however, will have to upgrade to a digital antenna or rabbit ears, and may have to add a digital conversion box if they have an older television set.

Older tube-style TVs aren't capable of displaying the digital signal, and require a conversion box to change the signal into a format the TV can handle.

Most newer flat-screen TVs have the converter built in and can display the digital over-the-air signal.

The switch to digital was mandated in 2007 by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, which set the Aug. 31 deadline.

On its website, the CRTC said the main reason for the switch is to free up airwave frequencies, known as spectrum, currently being used up by analog TV.

Spectrum is used for things such as wireless telephone services and emergency communications.

"Digital signals use less airwave space than analog signals. This means that the freed up space can be used for other services that have a high demand for more space," the CRTC said on its website.

The move to digital over-the-air broadcast is also touted as providing better picture and sound, and allowing broadcasters to send out their signals in high definition.

"The digital signal is a quantum leap better than analogue and just a great benefit for the viewer," said Peter Whitehead, the head of engineering for CTV in southern Saskatchewan.

However, even with digital rabbit ears the signal can be difficult to pick up because it needs to be coming in at high strength in order for the TV to display the signal.

The CBC applied for and was granted an extra year to prepare for the switch, and will continue broadcasting in analog in 22 markets until Aug, 31, 2012.

According to the CRTC, 850,000 Canadian households don't subscribe to cable or satellite TV services, and will likely be affected by the switch.

As of the CRTC's ruling, some smaller markets will be exempt from the switch. Areas with more than a 300,000 population, national, provincial and territorial capitals, and areas where there is more than one local TV station broadcasting over-the-air signals are not yet required to make the change.

With files from CTV.ca News Staff and Lindsay Dunn, CTV Regina