Engagement bait’s rise on Threads is another example of how we just can’t help ourselves on social media

1. MrBeast could go bust like BuzzFeed, a VC says. YouTube star MrBeast mastered social media algorithms to build a huge audience in no time. If that sounds familiar, it’s because BuzzFeed cofounder Jonah Peretti did the same thing. A VC investor thinks MrBeast may run into the same business hurdles that plagued the digital brand.
2. Warner Bros.’ crucial cable deal just made HBO free for millions of people. The troubled media conglomerate just signed a deal with Charter, one of the country’s biggest pay-TV distributors, that makes the HBO streaming service Max free for Charter subscribers. In return, Charter will continue carrying Warner Bros.’ cable channels like TNT and Discovery.
3. The most desirable employers for business and tech students. Thousands of business and tech students around the world told employee branding specialist Universum where they want to work in 2024. Here’s what business students said, and here’s what tech students said.

In other news

• You may not have noticed your big-ticket purchases are getting cheaper.
• Katy Perry’s triumphant VMAs performance isn’t good news for her career.
• Bosses forcing RTO may regret it.

What’s happening today

• New iPhones are available to pre-order.

The Insider Today team: Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York. Hallam Bullock, senior editor, in London. Milan Sehmbi, fellow, in London. Amanda Yen, fellow, in New York.