Sky is on the verge of a deal with Disney to bring the Hollywood superpower’s new streaming service to millions of British homes.

The pair were this weekend putting the final touches to a multi-year partnership. Sky’s rivals Virgin Media and BT will be able to carry the Disney+ app, however, they will be unable to offer Disney+ fully integrated with other programming.

It is understood that work is already underway to launch the service on Sky alongside its broader British debut on March 24.

Disney+ is in the vanguard of a new wave of streaming services due to compete for subscribers in the next year and rated by analysts as most likely to succeed. Early indications from the United States, where it was launched in November, are that it will easily surpass the targets set by Disney chairman Bob Iger as he reshapes the business.

As well as a catalogue of classic animation, Disney+ carries Star Wars films, the Marvel superhero series and Pixar titles such as Toy Story. Disney is also investing $1bn (£770m) this year in new spin-offs and original programmes.

Media sources said the arrangement is similar to Sky’s deal with Netflix, which was renewed earlier this month