# Where to watch Gershwin's Summertime: The Song That Conquered the World (2011) in the UK

> Gershwin's Summertime: The Song That Conquered the World (2011) is available to watch free in the UK on BBC iPlayer. Last verified on 18 May 2026 by ScreenSearch.

**Type:** Film  
**Year:** 2011  
**Runtime:** 59 minutes  
**TMDB rating:** 4.5/10  
**Genres:** Documentary, Music  
**Region:** United Kingdom (GB)  
**Last verified:** 18 May 2026 (2026-05-18T09:14:04.130Z)  

## Synopsis

The song "Summertime" was written by George Gershwin for the 1935 opera Porgy and Bess. The lyrics are by DuBose Heyward and although not thought to be directly involved, Ira Gershwin gets an official credit. The song soon developed a life of it's own beyond the original opera and has been recorded and adapted into many different styles of music from jazz to opera, rock to reggae, soul to samba. It has been recorded and performed in many different languages around the world and remains one of the most famous and best loved songs ever written. This documentary looks at its history, how it came to be created, and its subsequent history as it traveled through time and around the world. "Summertime" is the most covered song on the planet. At least 25,000 versions of it exist.

## Streaming options in the United Kingdom

### Free (with ads or TV licence)

- [BBC iPlayer](https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/search?q=Gershwin's%20Summertime%3A%20The%20Song%20That%20Conquered%20the%20World)

## Frequently asked questions

**Where can I watch Gershwin's Summertime: The Song That Conquered the World for free in the UK?**

Gershwin's Summertime: The Song That Conquered the World (2011) is available free (with adverts or a TV licence) on BBC iPlayer in the United Kingdom.

**Is Gershwin's Summertime: The Song That Conquered the World on Netflix, Disney+ or Amazon Prime Video in the UK?**

Gershwin's Summertime: The Song That Conquered the World is not currently included with any major UK subscription service. It may still be available to rent or buy.

**How accurate is this film's availability data?**

Availability is sourced from The Movie Database (TMDB), which in turn pulls from JustWatch. Listings are refreshed daily. For purchase decisions, the provider's own site is the source of truth.

## Sources

- Streaming availability: The Movie Database (TMDB), refreshed daily.
- Underlying licensing data: JustWatch.
- Canonical URL: https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/738923/gershwin-s-summertime-the-song-that-conquered-the-world-2011
- Poster image: https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/sRWF2piffFBcGucJzrCmi1BeqFS.jpg
- JSON variant: https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/738923/gershwin-s-summertime-the-song-that-conquered-the-world-2011.json

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