More like :

2008: profits from TV sales are declining rapidly. Manufacturers are panicking.

2018: TV manufacturers partnered with some shady organization that pays them big bucks to install spyware into their Smart TVs.

2008: Manufacturer finds a defect in the firmware code that causes excessive processor usage, thus causing the internal electronics to fail earlier than anticipated. No fix available.

2018: defect in firmware found. New version deployed to internet connected devices and lifespan extended.

Both of those are made up scenarios, but I would argue that there are legitimate reasons for devices to be connected to the internet. Along with a bunch of terrible reasons, of course.

> lifespan extended

Right. Sure. The manufacturer will spend time and money to extend the life of devices already purchased.

I would prefer not take the chance, and see what happens. If the TV dies early, so be it.

>2008: Manufacturer finds a defect in the firmware code that causes excessive processor usage, thus causing the internal electronics to fail earlier than anticipated. No fix available.

There is a fix available - return it to the store.

2028: defect found, but purposely not fully fixed so that people buy a new TV

Why do you think most Android phones stop receiving months after release and flag carrying ones one or two years after release? And what firmware in a HDMI decoder is supposed to be fallible? And why can't updates be supplied via USB stick.

My 2008 TV did get firmware updates over cable TV.