Controlling 81yr old DF’s television remotely

[mommybear1]

I have posted on the Geeky board but with no success at the moment and I’m hoping someone here maybe able to help/have an answer. My DF 81 is increasingly struggling to use his sky remote/tv remote to change channel and select what he wants to watch. I’ve read about Jubilee TV but I don’t want to go down that route.
We have got him two Alexa’s that are on his WiFi network but connected to our Alexa set up. This works well for me to be able to set him reminders/alarms and “drop in” he can also voice command it to call if he needs anything.

I’m wondering if it is possible to get an Amazon Cube and have the same system ie on his WiFi network but on our Alexa system and be able to change the channels for him if needed from my home rather than having to talk him through it or go to his home physically. Has anyone done this or have any other suggestions to help?

DF likes to watch The Repair Shop at night which is mainly on BBCiplayer. The issue is getting him to select the app, log in and then navigate to the show even if it’s on his watchlist. We have got a simple remote for him and he can voice control it to ask Sky to play it but he still has to log in and press buttons which is where he is struggling. I’m having to talk him through it by phone at night. I’ve tried SkyGo, an Amazon Firestick and a SwitchBot Mini Smart Remote Control, Universal IR Remote Hub - nothing works. Most seem to say you need to be on the same WiFi which obviously we are not.

Thank you

So strictly the answer is yes, but it is prohibitively expensive, unless there's a simple way I didn't consider.

You'll need to crack the Cube (maybe lose Alexa access here, Amazon doesn't like you doing your own thing with your own property) and install an ssh server on it, or a vpn that works as an ssh tunnel. You'll also need to set up his broadband with a static IP address, usually reserved for business broadband, so you can add a port forwarding rule to the router, allowing you to log-in from outside the network.
After this, you can log in from anywhere, and while there might be network lag, you can control the Cube.

Wow @TheOrbOfTheEmmisarythank you so much I shall have to have a good look at that and work through it. Thank you ☺️

We got a fool proof remote for an elderly relative not sure if it would work with sky, but perhaps worth looking into