Entertainment giant HBO reportedly offered US$250,000 (NZ$340,000) to the group that hacked its servers, and asked them to extend their ransom deadline.
A screenshot of the conversation has been released by the attackers, apparently after the company failed to comply with their demands.
"[We have] been working hard since Sunday evening [July 23] to review all of the material that you have made available to us. We simply have not yet been able to do so," the message from an HBO executive reads.
"You have the advantage of having surprised us. In the spirit of professional cooperation, we are asking you to extend your deadline for one week.
"As a show of good faith on our side, we are willing to commit to making a bug bounty payment of $250,000 to you as soon as we can establish the necessary account and acquire bitcoin."
However, HBO's email tactic failed, and the hackers published details about an upcoming episode of the network's popular drama Game of Thrones.
They later released personal details of Game of Thrones actors, along with a demand for a multimillion-dollar ransom.
Newshub.
