THE long-awaited sixth season of “The Sopranos” will premiere in March 2006 – almost two years after the finale of last season.

HBO began running promos revealing the March ’06 premiere during last weekend’s airing of “Empire Falls.” An HBO spokeswoman confirmed the March premiere, but said no specific date has been decided upon.

The return of the show is good news for fans of “The Sopranos,” who’ve been without their favorite mob opera since the fifth season ended June 6, 2004.