Starbucks: The New Newspaper Battleground

The newest newspaper battle is apparently not between the New York Post and the New York Daily News or The Boston Globe and the Boston Herald. It's USA Today and The New York Times.

But not among home subscribers or advertisers. It's a battle for the top spot at Starbuck's.

Years ago, USA Today started the trend of garnering exclusive sales among Starbuck's 6,500 outlets. Then the Times came in a few years ago, becomig the lone daily news pick-up at the nation's biggest coffee house chain.

Well, USA Today is back, officially added Monday to Starbuck's reading materials, accordig to a news release. The Times stays as well and is apparently not upset by this move.

“I haven't been to Starbucks yet today, so maybe someone can tell me: Is the chain putting USA Today or The New York Times on top?” asks Seattle Times coffee blogger Melissa Allison. “I know from years of experience that it's not the local paper.” Yes, Starbuck's is also including a local paper in the reading mix.

And you thought newspapers were dying.