17 Mar 2026
Groundbreaking technology designed to transform the cinema experience for deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences is being pioneered by The Odyssey.
The Odyssey will be the first cinema in the whole of the Home Counties to roll out WatchWord, leading the way in accessibility for all movie lovers.
Unlike traditional subtitled screenings which are limited to specific showings, WatchWord allows audiences to enjoy captions at any film, giving customers the freedom to choose their film based on title, not time slot.
Using special glasses WatchWord broadcasts subtitles (closed-captions), provided with the film, directly into the viewer’s line of sight. These lightweight devices can be worn over prescription lenses and around cochlear implants and hearing aids, ensuring comfort and accessibility for a wide range of users.
Esther Matthews from The Odyssey explained: “We have always been very thoughtful when considering inclusivity and the needs of all our customers and staff, and we are proud to launch Watchword to our audiences. We believe cinema should be for everyone, and this innovation means our deaf and hard of hearing customers
can enjoy the same choice, freedom and experience as every other filmgoer.
Tabitha Allum. chief operating officer of Built for Good, the makers of WatchWord, added: “It’s wonderful that The Odyssey St Albans is leading the way as one of only 30 cinemas in the whole of the UK to offer WatchWord. This marks a real milestone for audiences who are deaf or hard of hearing, giving more people the chance to enjoy films together on the big screen.”
This technology is in addition to The Odyssey’s audio description service for sight impaired customers – discreet, wireless headphones that provide a pre-recorded voice commentary that describes the scene in quiet moments of the film so as not to interfere with the dialogue.
Esther added: “We aim to provide both closed-captions (Watchword) and audio description on all titles but, as they are new, some films don’t have them yet. Look for the CC and AD next to the screening time on our website and in our programme. Please check our website and programme for films where these features are available.
“Watchword glasses are free of charge but must be booked at the time you book your tickets as there is limited availability.”
