Closed captions are displayed on personal devices like the smart glasses that WatchWord uses.

Many films that come to cinemas have closed captions included. When captions are included, WatchWord can broadcast them to audiences wearing the glasses, providing an ‘always-on’ captioning service.

Open captions is when films are screened with subtitles that are displayed on the screen. They are called ‘open captions’ because everyone can see them.

WatchWord has been developed so that D/deaf, deafened, and hard of hearing people can attend any cinema screening they choose, just like their hearing friends and family members can.

When you go to the cinema, you collect a pair of smart glasses, and a handheld controller like a smartphone.

When you put them on, you will see the dialogue appear through the glasses as captions. You can look at the screen and enjoy the film with captions.

On the handheld controller, you can change the size, position, colour, focus and brightness of the captions.

There is a lanyard on the controller to make it easier for you to move around the venue.

Yes, the glasses can be worn over your own glasses and with hearing aids or a cochlear implant processor.

You can adjust the nosepiece so that the glasses feel comfortable on your nose.

The glasses are free for you to use. If your cinema has WatchWord, you just need to add the glasses to your booking, either online or at customer services at the cinema.

The cost of the WatchWord system varies depending on the number of glasses required for your venue, which will depend on the number of screens.

Based on our recommendations for the minimum number of glasses per venue, prices for WatchWord start from around £3,200* for a single screen venue, up to around £6,100* for a multi-screen venue. These prices include a 3 year hardware guarantee and 3 years subscription.

Prices exclude VAT and the cost of installation which is usually between £500-£600 (from your integrator).

* Prices valid to October 31st 2024

Yes, your venue can rent WatchWord on a short term basis for example for a film festival, or on a longer term basis if you'd like to try the system. Please contact us to discuss your needs.

Click here to find out which cinemas have WatchWord.

As cinemas join us, they will be added to our website.

Yes, WatchWord can display captions in any language provided on the DCP.

If you have aquestion we have not included in this FAQ, lease contact us here