Starbucks adds free Web content perk

NEW YORK — Starbucks is adding a venti-sized dollop of free books, news, and entertainment to its Internet offerings starting today.

The coffee chain’s new digital network promises customers free e-books, movies, and other exclusives, including free access to some paid websites such as The Wall Street Journal, and is meant to get customers spending more on drinks and content they buy through the site.

The move comes as Starbucks faces steep competition from McDonald’s Corp. and other fast-food chains pushing increasingly fancy coffee drinks. But it also offers Starbucks a chance to make money by selling songs, e-books, and other material to customers who linger over its free Wi-Fi, which saw 30 million log-ins last month.