BTW even though it's not the older, ultrasonic variation of remotes, thought I'd comment, that a friend once demonstrated channel changing by way of 'HISSING', violently up close to TV set; that caused the channels to (rapidly) cycle, and motorized channel knob to turn. Very impressive but not the case here, of course.
If it was my (former), (flakey), DOCTOR, the orders would be for series of (useless / frivolous) tests, like MRI's and X-rays, in what the expression is 'fishing expedition'.
In your case, maybe helpful to post a video; maybe someone will spot some detail that helps solve...