English is the most widely spoken language in the world and is the primary language of most Western countries. Since people want to be entertained, receiving free entertainment in a language they understand causes the culture to spread more rapidly. This spread leads to sympathy with the West/USA.
Without the American Revolution there would be no American culture. I would say that that is, if not the best, better, which still implies that piracy is not the best thing.
It gives people access to media they may not be able to access in their country normally or that did not have an international release. Many documentaries are available in select regions.