Taiwan's TVBS reached a historic milestone last month by providing live coverage of the blessing and inauguration of the Tower of Jesus Christ at the Sagrada Família in Barcelona, completing the central spire of Antoni Gaudí's masterwork after 144 years of construction. Partnering with Japan's NHK, TVBS became the only Taiwanese media organization granted access to report from inside the basilica, marking a significant moment for Taiwan's international media presence as global attention focuses on one of the world's most visited cultural landmarks.
NHK has documented the construction of the Sagrada Família for decades, building a relationship of trust with the basilica's team that enabled the 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, providing unique insights into the completion of Gaudí's vision.
Taiwanese actress Lin Chi-ling joined the reporting team as a cultural ambassador, meeting with architects and experts to explore the basilica through the perspectives of architecture, aesthetics, and cultural heritage. Her involvement added a cultural dimension to the coverage, bridging art and media. The coverage brought together partners from Taiwan's technology and financial sectors, including HTC through its VIVE Arts initiative, which contributed its immersive experience "Gaudí, the Atelier of the Divine." This 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. 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 integrated AI-powered real-time translation technology throughout the live coverage, facilitating multilingual communication across international production teams and showcasing Taiwan's ability to connect industries and communities across borders.
