The Voice (CHOP)
Seacrest Studios (formerly known as The Voice) at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is a closed-circuit radio station and multimedia center. The studio, located in the main lobby, provides young patients within The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia community with an outlet to engage in activities related to radio, TV and new media, ranging from broadcasting like a disc jockey and playing their favorite songs to watching live artists perform and interviewing celebrities.[1]
Seacrest Studios/ Media Programs at CHOP
The mission of CHOP's Media Programs and Seacrest Studios is building broadcast media centers, named Seacrest Studios, within the hospital to help in the healing process. Patients have access to radio, television and new media. Seacrest Studios opened in July 2011 and is the second media center to open after the completion of the first center November 2010 at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta in Georgia.[2] Seacrest chose Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia because CHOP is a center of pediatric research and is focused on developing programs which enrich each patient's emotional well-being.[3]
Seacrest Studios/ Galaxy 51 programming can be accessed on Channel 51 of any CHOP television. Programming allows children and staff to WATCH, LISTEN, and PLAY from the hospital bedside or LIVE in Seacrest Studios multimedia studio (formerly The Voice) located in the Hospital’s Colket Atrium. Patients are also encouraged to work with the Galaxy 51 team to create and produce their very own projects from video diaries to music videos.
Galaxy 51 programming on channel 51 is: Therapeutic: provides opportunities for children to express themselves and supports children’s coping with the healthcare experience. Educational: provides opportunities for children to learn about the hospital environment as well as other topics. Interactive: gives children the chance to become involved in various aspects of production and programming, whether or not they are able to leave their beds/rooms. Entertaining: offers programs that serve as an enjoyable distraction from the routine aspects of hospitalization.The Voice is broadcasting at the state of the art radio studio that is located in the lobby of the main hospital at 3401 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104. The Media Programs Manager is Kris Schrader. Daily broadcasts are done in studio. Interactive games are also broadcast and this gives a chance for patients to come down to the studio and participate. Patients who cannot leave their rooms are able to call down to the studio as well. The Voice involves students from local colleges and universities to participate in making broadcasts.
Celebrity Guests
Seacrest Studios gives children the opportunity to conduct interviews with celebrities and watch live performances. The following Celebrities were guests of Seacrest Studios:
Selena Gomez (who was also named as ambassador to the foundation in April 2012),[4] CeeLo Green, Carrie Underwood, The Fray, Adam Levine, 5 Seconds of Summer, Taylor Swift, Julianne Hough, Jason Derulo, the cast of The Maze, Hot Chelle Rae, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, Florida Georgia Line, R5, Austin Mahone and Rixton
Ryan Seacrest Foundation (RSF)
The program was started by the Ryan Seacrest Foundation (RSF), a non-profit organization launched in 2010 by Ryan Seacrest and his family dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for seriously ill and injured children through unique programs that utilize multimedia and interactive platforms. RSF is building broadcast media centers within hospitals for children to explore the creative realms of radio, television and new media.
References
Coordinates: 39°56′56″N 75°11′35″W / 39.94881°N 75.19317°W