The latest in ESPN’s excellent Nine for IX documentaries is The Diplomat (Tuesday, 8 p.m.).

From ESPN:

Known as “the most beautiful face of socialism” Katarina Witt’s success gave her a unique status in East Germany. It also triggered constant surveillance by the Stasi, East Germany’s notorious secret police force. This film chronicles how Witt, one of the greatest skaters of all time, fought for her future in socialist East Germany, how she faced the great changes that occurred after the fall of The Berlin Wall and, ultimately, how she ended up both a beneficiary and victim of the East German regime.

Last week, Austin Karp of Sports Business Daily ran the following item:

ESPN averaged 377,000 viewers for the premieres of the first four “Nine for IX” documentaries. The top audience remains the first premiere, which was “Venus Vs” on July 2 with 460,000 viewers. Since the start of “30 for 30” in October ‘09, the four “Nine for IX” films would rank as four of the five least-viewed documentary premieres on ESPN.

For starters, these films are airing in the summer, when TV audiences are traditionally lower than in the fall, winter and spring, when the bulk of the 30 for 30 films air.

However, I am sure there is going to be the perception that fewer people are tuning in because this series is about women. That would be unfortunate.

These films are outstanding. They definitely should be appointment viewing for everybody. And that goes double if you have young daughters.

There aren’t many films that highlight women in sports, especially for nine straight weeks. In fact, they go beyond sports. They are history lessons, documenting in many cases the challenges women have encountered through the years. In the process, many of them have become important role models.

ESPN should be lauded for investing considerable time and money into this initiative. Just like the 30 for 30 concept, which was supposed to be a one-time deal, hopefully, Nine for IX will continue past this year.