If tv cant play from usb its probably 10+ years old with small screen size. You can get brand new 40" 1080p android tv from 180€. You can just turn off internet and use it as a usb player if thats what you want. Rpi 4 4GB + psu + SD card + hdmi cable is like 120-130€ and you will still have a big pile of cables behind that old tv.
There might be better options than android tv, IDK, Im not expert. Im also not google fan, but android tv just works fine for me.
USB hubs can work, but I wouldnt put them in the same sentence with word “reliable”. Maybe I just had bad luck with them… My setup is android tv + jellyfin server with sata drives