HBO hacked, Game of Thrones episode stolen

  • 01/08/2017
An unaired script for the hit show was stolen by hackers.
An unaired script for the hit show was stolen by hackers. Photo credit: HBO

US cable channel HBO says hackers have stolen upcoming programming, as Entertainment Weekly reports the theft included a script for an unaired episode of the hit fantasy show Game of Thrones.

HBO, a unit of Time-Warner Inc, declined to comment on Monday on the specific programming stolen in the hack.

"As most of you have probably heard by now, there has been a cyber-incident directed at the company which has resulted in some stolen proprietary information, including some of our programming," HBO Chairman Richard Plepler wrote in a message to employees, which the company shared with reporters.

The company declined to comment on reports that un-broadcast episodes and scripts were among the data hacked, citing an "ongoing investigation" by unspecified law enforcement officials.

Entertainment Weekly reported that hackers stole 1.5 terabytes of data and had already posted online un-broadcast episodes of Ballers and Room 104, along with "a script or treatment" for next week's episode of Game of Thrones.

Reuters also received an e-mail on Sunday from a person claiming to have stolen HBO data, including Game of Thrones.

The show is now in its seventh season and due to wrap up next year.

Reuters