As Manchester hosts the MTV EMAs, a new initiative is launched to benefit local hospital patients.
- Paramount Global commits funds to build a MediCinema in Manchester’s Royal Infirmary.
- Ticket sales from the Co-op Live event contribute to the charity-driven project.
- MediCinema provides unique cinematic experiences to patients and their families at no cost.
- Construction of the new facility aims to enhance patient wellbeing and staff training.
In a notable development for Manchester, ahead of the anticipated MTV EMAs, Paramount Global, the multimedia conglomerate, has announced a significant financial commitment towards the establishment of a cutting-edge MediCinema at the Manchester Royal Infirmary. This philanthropic gesture forms part of a broader company donation, with a portion of proceeds from the acclaimed Co-op Live event earmarked for this transformative project.
Addressing the ethos behind this initiative, Lee Sears, President of International Markets Advertising Sales at Paramount Global, articulated the organisation’s commitment to leave a lasting legacy in every city hosting the MTV EMAs. He emphasised the partnership with MediCinema and the NHS Trust, aiming to channel Paramount’s cinematic legacy into creating a supportive environment for patient recovery and familial bonding.
MediCinema, a charitable entity operational for 25 years, specialises in constructing and maintaining custom-built cinemas within hospital premises. These facilities are designed to accommodate medical equipment and ensure accessibility for both patients and family members, thereby offering an authentic cinematic experience without any financial burden on the NHS or the patients.
Kathy Cowell OBE DL, Chairman of the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, highlighted the importance of this initiative, noting that the presence of such a facility offers a much-needed diversion for patients, effectively transforming their hospital experience. The cinema will serve patients from various hospitals within the trust, including Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, and will also provide enhanced training facilities for NHS staff.
Scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2026, construction aims for completion by the year-end. The strategic utilisation of an existing lecture theatre for this purpose underscores the project’s commitment to resource efficiency, simultaneously doubling as a venue for staff education and training when not in use for cinematic purposes.
Colin Lawrence, CEO of MediCinema, expressed his gratitude towards Paramount Global and underscored the project’s potential impact on patient and staff wellbeing, noting the boost in morale and the transformation of the clinical environment this initiative would foster.
This collaboration symbolises a significant step towards integrating entertainment with healing, providing a beacon of hope for the Manchester hospital community.
