BBC ALBA is making its first foray into high-energy studio gameshows with Mas Fhìor (pronounced “masheer”) - a brand new, home-grown Gaelic entertainment format produced in partnership with Glasgow-based BEEZR Studios and Screen Scotland.
Mas Fhìor (Gaelic slang for “as if”) is a fast-paced quiz where more than general knowledge is required to win. Across a 12-episode series, pairs of Gaelic-speaking contestants from across the UK compete, testing not just what they know but who they can trust.
At the heart of the game are the ‘Pretenders’, known in Gaelic as the Mas Fhìoraich - eight new faces that appear in every episode, joining the action remotely from the comfort of their own homes. Armed with tall tales and fabulous facts, the Mas Fhìoraich are on a mission to fox the contestants, leaving teams to decide what’s true, what’s false, and who is bluffing their way to victory.
Each episode sees two teams battle it out through a series of deceptive challenges, weighing up credibility, confidence and cunning as they attempt to outsmart both their opponents and the Mas Fhìoraich, all for the chance to take home a cash prize.
Recorded at the cutting-edge, virtual production facility, Night Sky Studios in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, the series is hosted by popular BBC ALBA and BBC Radio nan Gàidheal presenter Niall Iain MacDonald, whose quick-witted, fast-talking style keeps the pace high and the pressure firmly on.
Produced by entertainment powerhouse BEEZR Studios and directed by quiz show veteran John Smith, Mas Fhìor adds to BBC ALBA’s ongoing commitment to original entertainment, while supporting the continued growth of Scotland’s screen sector.
Bill MacLeod, Commissioning Editor at BBC ALBA, said: “Mas Fhìor is an unapologetically entertaining quiz format – perfectly tailored for Gaelic viewers but with a universal appeal. Viewers will want to lean in and play along – all the while getting to know the quirky personalities of our regular panel of ‘Pretenders’. The new show really underlines our commitment to delivering original, high-production-value entertainment. We’re thrilled that the creative team at BEEZR Studios have developed this unique, home-grown format specially for BBC ALBA and we’re especially grateful for the support of Screen Scotland in its development and production.
“With a cast of amazing Gaels from across the country and a quick-witted, fast-talking host in the shape of Niall Iain, Mas Fhìor promises to be another example of world-class TV and original entertainment from Scotland.”
Emily Orr from Screen Scotland said: “It’s fantastic to be able to support the team at BEEZR Studios to showcase their abilities across this new format and we can’t wait for audiences to enjoy Mas Fhìor.”
Alasdair MacCuish, Executive Producer at Beezr Studios, said: "Mas Fhìor was developed with BBC ALBA’s audience firmly in mind — a fast, fun quiz that rewards personality, quick thinking and a love of language as much as general knowledge. Working with BBC ALBA and Screen Scotland, Beezr has created an innovative and bold new format, which takes advantage new technology to bring scale and ambition. As a result, Mas Fhìor feels fresh and contemporary whilst being squarely rooted in communities across Scotland.”
Mas Fhìor will broadcast on BBC ALBA from Tuesday 17 February 2026, with new episodes airing weekly.
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Image credits: Image courtesy MG ALBA