TVBS, a Taiwanese media organization, made history last month by becoming the only Taiwanese media outlet granted access to report from inside the Sagrada Família in Barcelona during the blessing and inauguration of the Tower of Jesus Christ. The event, which took place on 30 July 2026, marked the completion of the central spire of architect Antoni Gaudí's masterpiece after 144 years of construction. TVBS partnered with Japan's NHK to provide live coverage, a collaboration that underscores Taiwan's expanding footprint in international media.
The partnership with NHK was pivotal, as NHK has documented the Sagrada Família's construction for decades, building a trust relationship with the basilica's team. This enabled joint coverage that allowed TVBS crews to film 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 ceremony.
Taiwanese actress Lin Chi-ling joined the reporting team as a cultural ambassador, exploring the basilica through the 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". The virtual reality program allows audiences to explore Gaudí's architectural world in new ways, transcending geographical and physical boundaries. TS Financial Holding Co., Ltd., which has long supported arts and cultural exchange, sponsored the live broadcast, citing values of integrity, innovation, and sustainability.
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. The cross-sector collaboration extended Taiwan's cultural advocacy onto the international stage, connecting the 144-year architectural endeavor to audiences in Taiwan and Chinese-speaking communities worldwide. TVBS, NHK, HTC, and TS Financial Holding Co., Ltd. together documented a defining milestone in the Sagrada Família's history.
