CBC & BBC Commission Paid in Full: The Battle for Black Music

Pubcasters CBC and BBC have ordered Paid in Full: The Battle for Black Music, a new three-part docuseries on racial injustice in the music industry.

From executive producers Idris and Sabrina Elba and produced by Supercollider, Green Door Pictures and Pink Towel in association with Catalyst, Paid in Full will delve into the exploitative contracts and copyright arrangements that hinder Black artists’ autonomy and financial rewards.

In Canada, all episodes will be available to stream on CBC Gem beginning September 21, while in the U.K., the first episode will air on BBC Two on the same day and will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer afterwards, with the remaining episodes set to air the following week.

The series is narrated in Canada by music icon Jully Black and features interviews with Cadence Weapon, Chaka Khan, George Clinton, Monie Love, Nile Rodgers, Gloria Gaynor, Ice T, Master P and Smokey Robinson, as well as music experts and industry insiders. The series is narrated in the U.K. by British actress and playwright Zawe Ashton.

Abacus Media Rights handles international distribution.