Dunkin' serves up scores with the morning scones

For years, Dunkin' Donuts has been bringing people their morning coffee; now Dunkin' wants to bring folks their morning news and sports as well.

Dunkin' Donuts, a Canton-based chain of coffee-and- baked goods cafes, today announced a partnership with California Internet company Yahoo Inc. that will result in Dunkin'-branded video programming that will feature the latest news and sports on Yahoo websites.

Web users have been able to view sports news here since Feb. 25, a Dunkin' spokesman said, and plans call for a Dunkin'-branded video news round-up to launch April 9. A "Dunkin' Lounge" social community is also in the works.

This morning's sports video, which an announcer notes is "powered by Dunkin' Donuts," features a set chock-a-block with Dunkin' imagery surrounded by Dunkin' ads. After her introduction, viewers saw mostly basketball highlights.

"'Yahoo! Sports Minute' airs every morning and will be highlighted as a core editorial feature on the Yahoo! Sports home page from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. EDT," Dunkin's press release stated.

As for the "Good Morning Yahoo!" news programming, it will run weekdays and "include a daily package of videos selected by Yahoo! news editors to include a mix of overnight news and fun features, such as 'water cooler stories,'" Dunkin' said.

Dunkin' Donuts is part of Dunkin' Brands Inc. Two years ago, the company was purchased by new owners. Following the sale, Dunkin' Donuts said it planned to triple its number of US stores to 15,000 by 2020.

As it looks to expand beyond its traditional stronghold in the Northeast, Dunkin' has taken a number of steps to appeal to a national audience such as hiring celebrity chef and TV personality Rachael Ray as a spokeswoman.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)