Shouldn't the old supply-and-demand sort that out?

The advertising element of 'smart' devices subsidizes their price. You're competing against devices that are both more convenient and cheaper, and whose drawbacks are not immediately apparent to the general consumer, both because there's no requirement to state plainly the implications of the 'smart' technology on privacy and data sharing, and because such drawbacks are more abstract.

How does the supply and demand work if you cant buy any alternative anymore. Its like trying to buy non LED light bulbs.

Nobody tells you about ads and tracking when you buy a TV. Therefore a consumer can be easily fooled.

From what I've seen in IRL stores, there's no interest in dumb TVs. Everyone wants smart TVs, and I haven't seen any new TV that was dumb.

What people are interested in is cheap TVs and the tradeoff they are making is they buy a smart TV that has a lower price because it's subsidized with advertising revenue.

Maybe people want internet connected TVs to attach to streaming services, but I doubt anyone really wants what we are calling "Smart" TVs

You can still buy a 4k projector without any of the BS.

Thats not a TV. But I agree its a good alternative.

It's better than a TV imho. If one really wants to make it as similar to a TV as possible, they can ceiling mount a short throw projector and paint the target wall with special non-reflective paint. It'll appear as if the picture is coming right from the wall.

We bought whatever smart tv and not connected to wifi and use apple tv instead. I don’t see problems with it.

Until they start coming with cell modems, or they broker deals with ISPs to be able to access any router leased by them, or they connect to any open SSID the second it sees it, or they broker deals with other device manufacturers to hotspot off them

Or they wait until the return period has passed and then demand an internet connection before they'll continue to function.

Careful devil, don’t give them any ideas