The Hollywood Reporter has announced that HBO would premiere the Martin Scorsese series "Vinyl" on Feb. 14, essentially bumping "Game of Thrones" season 6 to premiere late April or early May instead of its usual late March/early April start. However, a report from Vanity Fair indicates this delay may also be due to the release of the next book in the series.
According to the report, "The Winds of Winter" by author George R.R. Martin may hit store shelves by early 2016. It is further explained that HBO is giving the author a reasonable window to release his book before the sixth season premieres.
"Game of Thrones" season 5 ended on the same cliffhangers that the last book, "A Dance with Dragons," did and the latter was released as far back as 2011. Given that the series is based on the books, it would only seem logical for the book to be released first before the adaptation airs on HBO.
It is further cited that Martin would not be able to finish the seventh and final book before "Game of Thrones" officially ends, so it would be some sort of reprise for the author to release his book before the sixth season gets to tell its version of the story.
Vanity Fair also points out that it is unlikely "Game of Thrones" will premiere earlier than late April as HBO avoids airing heavy dramas back-to-back. This means shows like "Girls" and "Togetherness" will take the slot formerly inhabited by "Game of Thrones" once "Vinyl" has finished its 10-episode premiere season.
However, neither HBO nor Martin has confirmed that "Game of Thrones" season 6 has been delayed due to the expected publication date of "The Winds of Winter." It might simply be a coincidence or it may simply be due to HBO giving some space for Scorsese's new series now that "Game of Thrones" is nearing its conclusion.
