Can TV remain OFF while soundbar plays audio from iPhone via Airplay 1/2 to Apple TV (pass-through via HDMI to TV)?

Hello! Here's to my first question to the Apple community!

Can my TV remain OFF while my soundbar plays audio from my iPhone 12 via Airplay 1/2 to my Apple TV?

Here's my setup/story:

1. My hardware: TCL55 4K TV (from 2018), Sony HT-CT370 soundbar (from 2014), and Apple TV A1625 (from 2015).
2. My setup: Apple TV is plugged into HDMI IN on soundbar; TV is plugged into HDMI OUT on soundbar, both having HDMI ARC (but not eARC).
3. When I Airplay to my Apple TV from my iPhone 12, the audio correctly plays from the soundbar, but my TV turns on and the Apple TV displays the track info.
4. I'm looking to Airplay to my Apple TV and have the Apple TV play the audio (obviously) to my soundbar, BUT would like the TV to remain OFF (!!)
5. Is this possible with my current setup? Are there Airplay/audio settings on my Apple TV that will allow for this "TV remains OFF while Apple TV "airplays" to soundbar"?
6. This was the closest discussion thread I could find, but it wasn't an answer for my current setup: Apple TV as music source without a displa… - Apple Community
7. (NOTE: Obviously, this is a YMMV question based on everyone's specific hardware, but IMO this is a standard question for any hardware that is more/less "current", aka having HDMI ARC. And, obviously, yes I can go spend $100-200 on a new/used soundbar that is Airplay 1/2 compatible, but then that just keeps the ever unsustainable train running!)

I apologize if this is still a riddle to you readers! Any help is appreciated! Thanks! Paul