Data shows viewing figures for The Nine have on occasion slumped to less than 1% of its launch audience

The BBC is facing fresh criticism for lavishing £32m on a new Scotland-only channel after a “shocking” decline in the popularity of its flagship show.

BBC Scotland was launched a year ago, after pressure from the Scottish National Party, but data shows that viewing figures for The Nine, which airs on weeknights, have on occasion slumped to less than 1% of its launch audience.

The disclosures heap further pressure on the broadcaster, which is facing the possibility of being stripped of the £4bn revenue-raising licence fee amid growing tensions with the UK government.

As revealed by The Sunday Times last week, ministers want the broadcaster “massively pruned back” with the licence fee replaced by a subscription service and certain channels sold.

On Tuesday, Donalda MacKinnon,