You used the term "surveillance nightmares"
To me having a television operating system keep track of everything I watch and how I watch it and using/selling that information to whomever they see fit to whomever they see fit is a surveillance nightmare.
If that doesn’t bother you that’s great for you.
I find it hard to believe 90% of America will pay for $150 bucks for a break out box when they can get the same or "good enough" on their smart TV or $20 Roku.
I’m not the US, but I doubt 90% of anyone would pay for any particular thing. Not sure what your point. I doubt 90% of Americans will ever buy a Mac either and yet they still keep making them
Again, if people prefer to pay with their data, and/or by being a captive audience for advertising, that’s fine by me
I’m willing to pay out of pocket to not put myself in that position