‘Game of Thrones,’ ‘Veep,’ ‘Silicon Valley’ get April return date

Early April is shaping up to be a blockbuster time in TV land, with the return of three major HBO shows. “Game of Thrones,” “Veep” and “Silicon Valley” will begin their new seasons on April 12.

This will be the fifth season for “Game of Thrones,” the second season for “Silicon Valley” and the fourth season for “Veep.” All will have 10-episode seasons.

HBO made the announcement at the Television Critics Association’s Winter Press Tour in Pasadena on Thursday.

These series all return just two days after Netflix unveils its highly anticipated “Marvel’s Daredevil” series on April 10. So you’d better make sure that spot on the couch is comfortable, because you’re going to be sitting there for a long time this spring.

Fans of “Game of Thrones” will be watching with extra interest as the series runs right up against the furthest plot developments described in George R.R. Martin’s bestselling novels. One moment last season revealed more about the White Walkers than book readers had known, and chances are great that the upcoming season will contain more moments such as that one.

At the TCA session, HBO also announced it had renewed its talk show “Real Time With Bill Maher” for two more years, meaning the weekly live program will continue to air through at least 2017. “Real Time” returns for its new season on Friday.

Follow me on Twitter: @patrickkevinday