HBO offered $250,000 to hackers

NEW YORK: Time Warner Inc's HBO network last month offered $250,000 to cyber criminals who hacked into its computer system, asking them to extend a deadline for paying a much larger ransom, according to an email reviewed by Reuters.

"You have the advantage of having surprised us," a member of HBO's technology team said in the July 27 email.

"In the spirit of professional cooperation, we are asking you to extend your deadline for one week." 

The attack came at a sensitive time for HBO: Parent Time Warner is seeking regulatory approval to sell itself to AT&T Inc  in an $85.4 billion deal announced in October.