Ahead of this weekend’s MTV EMAs, Paramount Global has revealed that it’s pledging cash towards a state-of-the-art MediCinema in Manchester.
A portion of ticket sales from the Co-op Live event will be included in a wider company donation to the new space at the Manchester Royal Infirmary on Oxford Road.
“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,” said Lee Sears, President, International Markets Advertising Sales, at Paramount Global.
“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.”
MediCinema is a charity, which has been building and running cinemas in hospitals for 25 years. They are equipped with space for beds, wheelchairs and medical equipment for patients and their families. They are at no cost to either patients or the NHS.
“Being in hospital can be difficult and distressing time for patients and their loved ones,” explained Kathy Cowell OBE DL, Chairman of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.
“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.”
This 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. It will be available to patients at 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.
Building work is expected to start in the second quarter of 2026, with completion due by the end of that year.
“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,” added Colin Lawrence, CEO MediCinema.
“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.”
The 30th edition of the MTV EMAs will broadcast live from Manchester’s Co-op Live on Sunday.
