HBO will once again not be providing critics with advance previews of Game of Thrones episodes.

Screeners were also withheld for season 6 after the first four episodes of season 5 - originating from a screener DVD - wound up online days before the season premiered.

Game of Thrones is pretty much unique in this sense. Whether it's House of Cards or The Leftovers, critics are usually given a head start on new shows/seasons so they are able to prepare more detailed reviews in advance and/or assess how big a show is going to be.

For example, Netflix provided access to the entirety of HoC season 5 to us almost a month before it dropped.

Game of Thrones season 7 - photos from HBO Show all 11 1 /11 Game of Thrones season 7 - photos from HBO Game of Thrones season 7 - photos from HBO Beric Dondarrion (played by Richard Dormer) Helen Sloan/HBO Game of Thrones season 7 - photos from HBO Cersei and Jaime in the newly decorated map room Game of Thrones Season 7 CR: Helen Sloan/HBO Helen Sloan/HBO Game of Thrones season 7 - photos from HBO Daenerys Targaryen (played by Emilia Clarke) Helen Sloan/HBO Game of Thrones season 7 - photos from HBO Tyrion and Daenerys have landed in Westeros Helen Sloan/HBO Game of Thrones season 7 - photos from HBO Cersei and Jaime, ruling the Seven Kingdoms Helen Sloan/HBO Game of Thrones season 7 - photos from HBO Davos in Winterfell Helen Sloan/HBO Game of Thrones season 7 - photos from HBO Jon Snow and Sansa in Winterfell Helen Sloan/HBO Game of Thrones season 7 - photos from HBO Daenerys Targaryen (played by Emilia Clarke) Game of Thrones Season 7 CR: Helen Sloan/HBO Helen Sloan/HBO Game of Thrones season 7 - photos from HBO Tormund Giantsbane (played by Kristofer Hivju) Helen Sloan/HBO Game of Thrones season 7 - photos from HBO Jon Snow (played by Kit Harrington) Game of Thrones Season 7 CR: Helen Sloan/HBO Helen Sloan/HBO Game of Thrones season 7 - photos from HBO Arya Stark (played by Maisie Williams) Helen Sloan/HBO

HBO would presumably like to do this with Game of Thrones, but the leak factor is just too high, especially with a show where spoilers are all important.

Still, while we're gutted we won't get to the see the new episodes early, there isn't a huge wait until they arrive for everyone., with season 7 commencing on 16 July through HBO, Sky Atlantic and NOW TV.