So, to riff on this a little.
Two things- a smart TV is actually much cheaper than a comparable "dumb" TV (if you can find one ... must are outdoor models, or for use in commercial settings). Smart TVs are all subsidized.
Because the subsidy ... as I'm sure is quickly dawning on you now ... is you. That's right, you're the actual product. Both in actual ads that these TVs are displaying, as well as by tracking what you're doing and selling that information.
When I was in the market for a TV last year, I wanted to get a dumb TV, but the pickings were too slim. I ended up with a great deal on a "smart TV." But I kept all the features off- it's not connected to the internet, etc. Instead, I use my own streaming box (AppleTV in my case for privacy reasons, but anything you lock down ... such as installation of a pi-hole).
TLDR; I can't live without streaming either, but I would never, ever use a smartTV's features.