TVBS, a leading Taiwanese media outlet, provided live coverage of the historic blessing and inauguration of the Tower of Jesus Christ at the Sagrada Família in Barcelona on June 30, 2026. The ceremony marked the completion of the central spire of Antoni Gaudí's masterpiece after 144 years of construction. TVBS partnered with Japan's NHK, which had documented the basilica's construction for decades, to secure exclusive access as the only Taiwanese media organization allowed to report from inside the church. This collaboration underscores Taiwan's expanding presence in global media coverage of major cultural events.
The TVBS crew filmed in rarely accessible areas, including the crypt where Gaudí is buried, architectural workshops, and key structural sections. They interviewed architects and experts involved in the project during preparations for the ceremony. Construction on the Sagrada Família began in 1882, one year before Gaudí took over as chief architect, and its completion draws global attention to one of the world's most visited landmarks.
Taiwanese actress Lin Chi-ling joined the reporting team as a cultural ambassador, meeting with architects and experts to explore the basilica through architecture, aesthetics, and cultural heritage. Her involvement added a cultural dimension to the coverage beyond conventional reporting, bridging audiences with the landmark's artistic significance.
The coverage involved partnerships 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. This 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 for Taiwanese and Chinese-speaking audiences worldwide.
