TVBS, a Taiwanese media organization, achieved a historic milestone by partnering with Japan's NHK to provide live coverage of the blessing and inauguration of the Tower of Jesus Christ at Barcelona's Sagrada Família. The ceremony, held last month, completed the central spire of architect Antoni Gaudí's masterwork after 144 years of construction. TVBS was the only Taiwanese media granted access to report from inside the basilica, marking a significant moment for Taiwan's international media presence.
The collaboration with NHK was crucial, as NHK has documented the construction of the Sagrada Família for decades, building a relationship of trust with the basilica's team that enabled joint coverage. TVBS crews filmed in areas rarely accessible to media, including the crypt where Gaudí is buried, architectural workshops, and key structural sections of the basilica. The team conducted interviews with architects and experts involved in the project during preparations for the inauguration ceremony. Construction on the church began in 1882, one year before Gaudí took over as chief architect.
Taiwanese actress Lin Chi-ling joined the reporting team as a cultural ambassador, meeting with architects and experts to explore the basilica through perspectives of architecture, aesthetics, and cultural heritage. Her involvement added a cultural dimension to the coverage beyond conventional architectural reporting.
The coverage brought together partners from Taiwan's technology and financial sectors. HTC, through its VIVE Arts initiative, contributed its immersive experience "Gaudí, the Atelier of the Divine," a virtual reality program that allows audiences to explore Gaudí's architectural world. TS Financial Holding Co., Ltd., which has long supported arts and cultural exchange, sponsored the live broadcast, citing values of integrity, innovation, and sustainability. The cross-sector collaboration extended Taiwan's cultural advocacy onto the international stage.
TVBS integrated AI-powered real-time translation technology throughout the live coverage, facilitating multilingual communication across international production teams. The project showcased Taiwan's ability to connect industries and communities across borders, documenting a defining milestone in the Sagrada Família's history.
