ZDF Studios to Distribute Season 4 of "Ancient Superstructures" Featuring Global Premier of Completed Sagrada Familia
Produced by Pernel Media in association with RMC Découverte, Histoire, SBS and ZDF Studios
Mainz, Germany - February 24th, 2026
ZDF Studios is proud to announce it has secured worldwide distribution rights (excluding French-speaking territories and Australia) for the fourth season of the hit documentary series "Ancient Superstructures." Produced by Pernel Media in association with RMC Découverte, Histoire, SBS and ZDF Studios, the latest installment of this ground-breaking series is currently in production and slated for completion in Spring 2026.
"Ancient Superstructures" employs a unique multi-scale approach—ranging from satellite imagery to microscopic analysis—to decode the engineering mysteries of the world’s most iconic monuments. Season 4 will feature extraordinary sites, including the Acropolis of Athens in Greece, Germany’s Neuschwanstein Castle as well as Pierrefonds Castle and the medieval City of Carcassonne in France.
A major highlight of the new season is the episode dedicated to Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia. In a historic television event, the production team has been granted exclusive access to film the placing of the final stone on the main structure. This milestone, occurring in June 2026, coincides with the centenary of Antoni Gaudí’s death and the official inauguration of the Tower of Jesus Christ. Reaching a height of 172.5 meters, the basilica will officially become the tallest church in the world.
Nikolas Huelbusch, Director Unscripted, ZDF Studios, said: "We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Pernel Media on this flagship franchise. 'Ancient Superstructures' has consistently set the gold standard for factual programming by blending high-end CGI with rigorous scientific investigation. Being able to capture the historic completion of the Sagrada Familia—a project 144 years in the making—is a testament to the series' relevance and its ability to bring viewers closer to history than ever before."
Fabrice Frank, Executive Producer at Pernel Media, added: "Our mission has always been to reveal the 'invisible' secrets of these marvels through cutting-edge technology. With Season 4, we are taking this to a new level. Documenting the final steps of Gaudí’s masterpiece in real-time allows us to bridge the gap between ancient vision and modern engineering, providing a definitive look at the tallest religious building in the world as it finally takes its place in history."
Samuel Kissous, Founder and CEO of Pernel Media, says “This franchise reflects exactly the kind of premium, internationally resonant programming Pernel is committed to producing. Ancient Superstructures’ continues to demonstrate that first-class factual programming can combine scale, longevity and global appeal. Season 4 represents a landmark moment for the series - and a powerful example of how ambitious European storytelling resonates worldwide.”
While the main structure and its 18 unique towers are scheduled for completion in 2026, additional decorative work on the Glory Façade will continue through to 2034. This season of "Ancient Superstructures" ensures that global audiences will have a front-row seat to the culmination of one of the most audacious construction projects in human history.
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About ZDF Studios
ZDF Studios is a commercial subsidiary of ZDF, one of the largest TV broadcasters in Europe. Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Mainz, Germany, the ZDF Studios Group operates more than 30 direct and indirect subsidiaries and affiliates spanning TV production, distribution and services. The parent company, ZDF Studios, is responsible for global programme distribution, realisation of international co-productions, acquisition of licences and merchandising of successful programme brands under its own name, for ZDF and third parties. ZDF Studios has the largest German-language programme inventory in the world and a constantly growing range of international productions, consisting of series and mini-series, television films, documentaries and children's programmes.
The companies of the ZDF Studios Group cover the entire value chain from the development of scripted and unscripted TV content to production, marketing and monetizing, including TV and streaming licences as well as merchandising and online rights. The positioning of ZDF Studios as an integrated media company enables the development of innovative, outstanding and high-quality programmes and makes the Group an attractive workplace for German and international talent to flourish in a very inspiring and creative environment.
Contact ZDF Studios
Christine Denilauler (VP Marketing and Corporate Communications), ZDF Studios GmbH, Erich-Dombrowski-Str. 1, D-55127 Mainz/Germany, Tel.: +49 6131-9911130, E-mail: christine.denilauler@zdf-studios.com, www.zdf-studios.com
About Pernel Media
Pernel Media is an award-winning international production company founded in 2009, with offices in France and the UK. One of Europe’s most dynamic factual producers, the company is also now quickly expanding its English-speaking scripted slate, working in close collaboration with more than 30 international broadcast partners.
Pernel Media has been consistently recognised in the RealScreen Global 100 since 2019 and is currently ranked among the Top 10 global coproduction partners, reflecting its strong track record in premium international storytelling.
Over the past six years, the company has established itself as a global leader in Ancient Egypt programming, producing more than 35 hours of Egypt-related content and working with the world’s most renowned archaeologists at Egypt’s most iconic sites. Current productions include the 6-part Egypt Decoded: on the Trail of the Lost Pharaohs for France Télévisions and the premium factual series Mysteries on the Nile with Sir David Suchet.
Alongside its factual slate, Pernel Media has expanded into international scripted co-productions, including the recently released drama The Au Pair, starring Sir David Suchet, and the forthcoming Missed Call, starring Joanna Scanlon, Rupert Graves and Robert Lindsey, which is set to premiere on 5 in 2026.