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Global coffee chain Starbucks is offering users of its in-store WiFi in the US their own digital network, showcasing news, entertainment and health content and offering exclusive deals and previews to visitors to the chain.

Today the network is being launched across 6,800 US branches of the coffeehouse chain, featuring six categories: news, entertainment, wellness, business and careers, my neighbourhood and Starbucks. The initiative is being carried out in partnership with online search directory Yahoo, which will host the network and promote it online. 

Through an existing partnership with Apple, the network will offer users exclusive downloads and freebies from the iTunes store, along with movie clips and book promotions ahead of general release. Book-lovers can also enjoy free access to different novels each week courtesy of publishers such as Harper Collins and Penguin. 

Coffeehouses will provide free access to premium news content from American papers The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today, and health and fitness features from healthy-living magazines Men's Health, Women's Health, Runner's World, Bicycling and Prevention.

The network will host exclusive video and blog content and job search facilities from professional network LinkedIn, alongside a variety of community content tailored to individual store locations, such as local news and events from Patch, opportunities to donate to nearby school projects via online charity DonorsChoose.org and local restaurant reviews from web guide Zagat.

Last month, the franchise saw more than 30 million users log into its wireless signal, over half of whom used mobile devices. The network is designed to display well on phones as well as tablet devices and laptops.

Stephen Gillett, executive vice president, chief information officer and general manager of digital ventures at Starbucks, said: 'Our customers are the inspiration for the Starbucks Digital Network. 

'They've told us they want to be the first to know what's happening in their neighbourhoods and around the globe, to have an easy way to discover new music, great books and important films and find ways to be more involved in their communities. And they're connecting with the brand digitally in numerous ways. 

'These points combined with our passion for creating a unique customer experience, our heritage of recommending culturally-relevant works and focus on giving back to the community, led us to create this new, one-of-a-kind, localised content experience with Yahoo!'

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