Paramount Global pledges funds for new MediCinema for Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust as MTV EMA’s legacy to the city
As part of its legacy to Manchester following the 2024 MTV EMAs being held in the city, Paramount Global will provide funding towards the creation of a new MediCinema situated within Manchester University NHS Trust’s Oxford Road hospital campus, to bring the therapeutic power of cinema to patients and their families. This is the biggest NHS Trust in the country.
The new partnership between Paramount Global and MediCinema, alongside the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and its own charity, Manchester Foundation Trust Charity, will kickstart the conversion of an existing lecture theatre inside the Manchester Royal Infirmary into a state-of-the-art cinema.
Once operational, the new MediCinema will support patients of all ages cared for throughout the Trust’s Oxford Road Campus hospitals, including Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Saint Mary’s Hospital and Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, as well as Manchester Royal Infirmary. When not in use as a cinema, the space will provide an enhanced facility for staff training and education services as a lecture theatre.
The build is expected to commence in the second quarter of 2026, with the MediCinema operational by the end of that year.
The 30th edition of the MTV EMAs will broadcast live around the world from Manchester’s Co-op Live on Sunday 10 November. One of the biggest global music events celebrating the world’s most iconic artists, the MTV EMAs bring fans a unique, multi-platform experience across MTV’s global network in nearly 150 countries.
The relationship between Paramount Global, MediCinema, Manchester University NHS Trust and the Manchester Foundation Trust Charity, has been brokered by Lee Sears, President, International Markets Advertising Sales, at Paramount Global and Colin Lawrence, Chief Executive Officer of MediCinema.
Each year, we aim to leave a legacy in each host city of the MTV EMAs, which endures beyond Music Week and has a positive impact on the wider community. In the 30th year of MTV EMAs, Paramount is delighted to work with MediCinema and the NHS Trust and charity partners, to channel Paramount’s storied cinematic history into a space that can support the wellbeing of patients and their families.
Lee Sears - President, International Markets Advertising Sales, at Paramount Global
We are enormously grateful for the support and generosity of Paramount Global which has enabled this project to start to take shape with the MFT. It’s with immense pride that we are creating a partnership with MFT and their charity, enabling a MediCinema to be built within one of the UK’s most innovative and significant centres of care. We know from our many years of operation within the NHS that MediCinema’s services boost wellbeing and are able to transform the hospital experience for patients, their families and careers. We are proud that NHS staff communities can also enjoy and benefit our screenings.
Colin Lawrence, CEO MediCinema
Being in hospital can be difficult and distressing time for patients and their loved ones. The introduction of a purpose-built cinema within our Oxford Road Campus will provide our patients – young and old – with much-needed opportunities to get away from the ward, enjoying the full cinema experience whilst still in a safe environment. It will make a huge difference for our patients and staff, and we are incredibly grateful to both Paramount and MediCinema for their support.
Kathy Cowell OBE DL, Chairman of MFT
