Piracy, legal battles and FBI investigations: How to watch two-part documentary How Music Got Free

How Music Got Free
(Image credit: Paramount)
How Music Got Free at a glance

When: The two-part docuseries How Music Got Free will be streamed on Paramount+ in the US and Canada from June 11: UK and selected countries from June 12
Where: Paramount+
Watch anywhere: Nord VPN

The two-part documentary How Music Got Free which explores the boom in music piracy is set to be shown on Paramount+ in later this week.

The film centres on the rise in file sharing technology that disrupted the musical landscape in late 90s and features interviews with artists including Eminem, 50 Cent, Timbaland and more.

Eminem and basketball legend Lebron James served as executive producers on the docuseries which premiered at SXSW earlier this year.

A press release reads: “From New York City, to Los Angeles, to the small factory town of Shelby, North Carolina, the two-part series features the quirky genius of the heretofore-unknown 'pirates', the drama of the FBI investigations and convictions, and the frontline accounts of music’s biggest artists and executives. 

“An unbelievable story of cunning, illegality, celebrity, and innovation, these are the events that changed the music industry forever.”

It’ll be streamed on Paramount+ on June 11 in the US and Canada, while the UK, Australia, Germany, France, Austria and Italy will be able to watch from June 12.

How to watch

If you want to watch How Music Got Free, it'll be available to stream on Paramount+ in the US and Canada from June 11, with the UK, Australia, Germany, France, Austria and Italy will be able to watch from the following day.

Paramount+ starts at $5.99/£6.99 a month and is packed with films, TV series and family favourites. It’s also home to the Star Trek universe and is also streaming Lolla: The Story Of Lollapalooza and the Behind The Music series featuring Poison's Bret Michaels, Alanis Morissette, Motley Crue, Bob Marley and more.

How to watch How Music Got Free from anywhere

If you're outside the US or the UK on holiday or traveling with work and want to watch the two-part series as soon as it launches, don't worry, as you'll still be able to watch wherever you are with the use of a VPN.

Virtual Private Networks are used to change the location of your IP address, enabling you to watch any show outside of a streaming territory. NordVPN is our service of choice and it's currently available at a great price and with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

NordVPN: 30-day money-back guarantee

NordVPN: 30-day money-back guarantee
NordVPN is our top choice VPN right now. It's easy to use and boasts strong security features. All plans offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, and at just $3.09 a month after that, it's excellent value.

How to use a VPN

1. Install a VPN. As we've mentioned above, NordVPN is Louder's current favourite.

2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN. If you're currently outside the US or UK on holiday and want to watch How Music Got Free, just select 'US' or 'UK' from the list.

3. Turn the volume up and relax. You're all set to watch this two-parter.

Watch the trailer

How Music Got Free | Official Trailer | Paramount+ - YouTube How Music Got Free | Official Trailer | Paramount+ - YouTube
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Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent 35 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott keeps Louder’s buyer’s guides up to date, writes about the best deals for music fans, keeps on top of the latest tech releases and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more for Louder. Over the last 10 years, Scott has written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, The Tragically Hip, Marillion and Rush.