• by Mark Walsh  @markfwal, March 23, 2011

Starbucks has added a batch of new content partners for the digital network it launched last October including The Economist, ESPN Insider Rumor Central, Marvel Digital Comics and Mediabistro. The initial group of media partners for the Starbucks Digital Network available for free within the coffee chain's 6,800 U.S. stores included LinkedIn, New Word City, The Weather Channel, The New York Times, iTunes, and WSJ.com.

Stephen Gillett, Starbucks chief information officer, indicated the content additions were made based on feedback from users. The one that stands out is Mediabistro, because it's geared toward a narrower industry-based audience. The Starbucks Network is the default welcome page people see when they log into the Wi-Fi service offered in Starbucks stores. The broad content categories on the site span news, entertainment, business, and health, as well as local neighborhood information. Read more here.