ZDF Studios has acquired international distribution rights to Season 4 of the premium factual series “Ancient Superstructures.” In this new series, Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia will be featured prominently in preparation for the turning point in June of this year.
Produced by Pernel Media in collaboration with RMC Découverte, Istoire, SBS and ZDF Studios, the new season is currently in production and expected to be completed this spring.
ZDF Studios has secured rights in markets around the world, excluding French-speaking countries and Australia.
“Ancient Superstructures” has carved out a unique niche in the landmark and history space by combining high-end CGI and scientific investigation to decipher the engineering behind the world’s most iconic monuments, using a multi-scale approach from satellite imagery to microscopic analysis.
Season 4’s itinerary spans multiple regions and time periods, with episodes dedicated to the Acropolis of Athens in Greece, Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany, and Chateau Pierrefonds and the medieval city of Carcassonne in France.
But the showpiece focuses on the Sagrada Familia, with producers being granted exclusive access to film the laying of the last stone on the cathedral’s main structure, which they are positioning as a historic moment for television.
The June milestone coincides with the 100th anniversary of architect Antoni Gaudi’s death and the official inauguration of the Tower of Jesus Christ.
At 172.5 meters (565.9 feet) high, the cathedral will be the tallest church in the world. While the main structure and its 18 towers are scheduled to be completed in 2026, additional decorative work on the Glory façade is scheduled to continue until 2034, giving this season a time-stamped front-row view of one of Europe’s most ambitious long-term constructions.
“This series has consistently set the gold standard for fact-based programming by blending high-end CGI with rigorous scientific research,” said Nikolas Huelbusch, director of unscripted at ZDF Studios. “Being able to capture the historic completion of the Sagrada Familia, a 144-year project, is a testament to the relevance of this series,” he added.
“Our mission has always been to uncover the ‘unseen’ secrets of these wonders through cutting-edge technology. In Season 4, we take this to a new level,” said Fabrice Franck, Executive Producer at Parnell Media.
Samuel Kissu, founder and CEO of Parnell Media, added: “This series reflects exactly the premium, internationally resonant programming that Parnell is focused on producing.”
The deal underlines ZDF Studios’ role as a global distribution company and co-production partner for the commercial arm of German public broadcaster ZDF, with France and UK-based Parnell Media continuing to expand its international slate across premium factuals alongside its growing English-language script pipeline.
