Starbucks Digital Network adds ESPN, Marvel Comics

Starbucks introduced sports media giant ESPN and Marvel Comics among the new partners supplying content to the in-store multimedia platform the coffeehouse colossus rolled out last October.

The Starbucks Digital Network, which is hosted and managed by Yahoo, now offers consumers free access to ESPN Insider Rumor Central and the Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited library, which includes titles featuring Spider-Man, Iron Man, Thor and the X-Men; additional partners announced Wednesday during Starbucks' annual shareholders meeting include news magazine The Economist (which will supply a weekly digital-only feature) and media networking channel Mediabistro.

The Starbucks Digital Network is available across nearly 6,800 U.S. company-operated locations. Optimized for smartphones, tablets and laptop devices including Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPhone and iPad, the Starbucks Digital Network offers free, handpicked content available exclusively within the confines of Starbucks stores, promising snackable entertainment and news experiences tailored for consumer visits spanning anywhere from a few minutes to an hour.

Powered by Starbucks' Wi-Fi infrastructure, the HTML5-based platform promises touch- and swipe-friendly visual design elements as well as adjustable navigation tools that span across multiple mobile operating systems and device form factors. In addition, iPhones with the myStarbucks App recognize customers upon their entrance into the store and offer an automatic connection to the network.

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