They could connect it to the Internet, I guess.

The problem is that because the hardware is there, a determined person with physical access can change the settings to join a network you don’t control.

Ideally, you can open the TV and remove the wifi modules but I suspect that might be beyond the skills of most TV owners.

Tbh, I stopped owning a TV since college. I watch everything on my computer or phone now.

There’s microphones and even cameras in many of these TVs.

Those radios may have a flaw that allows someone to connect to them without direct physical access, wardriving is a similar idea. Particularly the Bluetooth stack, since modern TVs often use Bluetooth for their remotes, so it’s always going to be powered and active.

Then you’ve got to remember a lot of TVs have shit like cameras and mics now days. Even without that, if an attacker can take control of something with a WiFi radio, it can become a jumping point to exploit other devices near your TV. I mean it doesn’t even need to be an exploit, e.g. if your phone disappears from WiFi range, maybe you’ve gone out—that’s a good time to rob you.

Sure it’s all pretty unlikely, but it’s a non zero threat. Particularly when you consider that TV OS software is often like swiss cheese when it comes to security.