I have never connected a TV to the Internet. I do have a smart TV but I just use it for my computer.
this post was submitted on 11 Mar 2026
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I have a "smart" TV, but it has never been connected to the internet for reasons such as this. Also I don't want it spying on me, which is a thing society has to deal with now for some reason, and we just let it happen.
We should be burning the corporate headquarters for these places down when they try shit like this.
Not trying to be a Sony Bravia shill but I have two Sony Bravia XBR (X950G and X900H) TVs. Neither of these has ever attempted to show me an advertisement. They aren't the newest versions nor the most expensive. I don't include YT ads since those are YT generated.
Get 'em while that last:
“In a major industry shift announced in early 2026, Sony is entering a strategic partnership where TCL will take a 51% stake in its home entertainment division, including Bravia TVs, with a new joint venture expected to be fully operational by April 2027”
It’s the end of an era for the Sony Bravia.
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Sony pissed me off a few years back. Day one: wanna share data with us? No. Year later: data? No. Year 3. Your tv will no longer accept internet connections unless you agree to share your data. Ok, fuck. Year 4. 30% apps no longer work due to system requirements. You - bastards. I just used a firestick in it until it died on year 6. Which also sucks since it was $3000 in 2017.
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Plot twist: this article is an ad for 3rd party streaming boxes
I find myself wondering just how complicated TVS could actually be before it's no longer possible to hijack the display signal that's fed to the display
Unlike with cars, TVS seem simple enough that a sufficiently motivated novice could modify a cheap TV to circumvent these bullshit features. If they ever started requiring internet connections to start or use these, i think enough people would be bothered by it that there would probably be a secondary market of modified hardware
As with most enshitifications, the question will ultimately be one of complacency of the average consumer.
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That’s one reason why I never connected mine to the internet.
This is why NONE of my monitors ever go online. Ever. I did it once for testing back in 2012, and even then the experience was shit.
Im still using an LG tv from 2007, and you could be too if you were my friend :^) I have jurassic park on bluray and i make pretty good popcorn
Just one of many reasons I haven't bought a TV or watched TV in over 15 years. If there is a series I want to watch I will either get the blurays or put on my fancy hat and pull out the rum.
Bought a new TV and this is precisely the reason why it will never be connected to the Internet. I miss out on the built-in AirPlay which is annoying but I'll live.
Why do I still have a 32" TV? Because that's the largest size that's still readily available as an ordinary, cheap, flat dumb panel with a tuner. (Well, that and I don't especially need a larger one.)