• Mashable, Thursday, March 24, 2011 11:58 AM

Adding to its free Wi-Fi offerings, Starbuck is adding premium content from ESPN, The Economist, Mediabistro and Marvel Digital Comics. "Starbucks customers will get subscription-level access to each new content provider's online repertoire -- in addition to content from existing partners like The Wall Street Journal -- that is typically blocked by pay walls," Mashable reports.

Though a relatively new offering for Starbucks, the coffee chain knows that free Wi-Fi isn't the draw it used to be. "We're trying to strike a delicate balance, to enhance our customers' experience and differentiate our Wi-Fi from other chains," said Adam Brotman, vice president of digital ventures at Starbucks. "But, we're really careful not to overly promote ourselves and get in the way of the experience." For the sports fans, this translates to free access to ESPN Insider Rumor Central. Also in the revamped News & Sports channel is The Economist.

Read the whole story at Mashable »