Framing Britney Spears: How to watch the documentary in the UK

Show analysing treatment of pop star by the media, along with her ongoing conservatorship, is finally available to stream in the UK

A new Britney Spears documentary has added fuel to the#FreeBritney movement amid the ongoing controversy surrounding her conservatorship.

Framing Britney Spears was released in the US on 5 February as part of the first season of The New York Times Presents… series. 

The programme analyses the treatment of Spears by the media from the beginning of her career to now, but particularly during her mental health breakdowns in 2008, when she was placed under a conservatorship.

The documentary then looks at the pop star’s ongoing battle with her father, Jamie Spears, over the control the conservatorship gives him over every aspect of her life, from her business decisions to her family.

In November 2020, Britney requested to have her father removed as conservator, however, the court rejected her attempt.

Read more: Justin Timberlake criticised after Framing Britney Spears documentary airs

In the episode, it is noted that Spears herself was sent a request to take part in the documentary. However, the production team don’t know whether she received the requests. Her mother, father and sister “didn’t respond” or “declined requests” to partake in Framing Britney.

After the documentary aired in the US, the #FreeBritney hashtag – a fan movement to get her conservatorship ended – trended once again on social media.

How can I watch the documentary?

In the US, Framing Britney Spears is available to watch online via streaming service Hulu – new subscribers can redeem a free month when they sign up. After the free trial, Hulu costs $5.99 (£4.37) per month.

The documentary aired in the UK on Sky Documentaries at 9pm on 16 February. It is now available to stream on NOW TV.