Alex Haley’s Roots, PBS Pioneers of Television Published January 2, 2013 at 600 × 600 in Pioneers of Television Timeline 1977: ”Roots” miniseries breaks all-time ratings records. It airs on 8 consecutive nights, an unprecedented strategy that paid off for ABC. 1977: ”Roots” miniseries breaks all-time ratings records. It airs on 8 consecutive nights, an unprecedented strategy that paid off for ABC.