Does FCC Rule 76.630 require "rebroadcasts" in HD?

[jj finnigan]

I understand that FCC Rule 76.630 requires cable companies to "rebroadcast" local and OTA programming in unscrambled/non-encrypted format - But does it also require them to rebroadcast in Hi Def?

Our principal set is a 42" Plazma HDTV, and we have a Hi Def package from Comcast. For our 2nd TV in the kitchen, currently we have a 26" analog set, which (for no extra charge from Comcast) we have hooked to a split from the same cable which provides HDTV service to our principal set - Our 26" set gets all the basic & enhanced basic channels provided by Comcast in its non-HD package (including favorites ESPN, CNN and CNBC), but, of course, we do not get the 700 series of channels where HD programming is carried.

Now, to replace the 26" analog set in the kitchen, we have ordered a new 26" HDTV, on which we would like to receive HDTV without paying $7 per month for an additional cable box. I suspect we will have 2 choices: (1) Hook the new set to the existing cable, and continue to get the same programming we got with the analog set, ie, all the basic & enhanced basic channels provided by Comcast in its non-HD package (including ESPN, CNN and CNBC), but nothing at all in HD, even tho our new set is HDTV; or (2) Hook up to an antenna, and get all the local channels in HD, but not be able to get ESPN, CNN and CNBC.

OTOH, if, when local channels broadcast in Hi Def (which they do most of the time), then maybe cable providers "rebroadcast" in HD. That would allow our new 26" HDTV set to get local channels in Hi Def, and ESPN, CNN and CNBC in Standard Def.