What if you don’t have either the TV remote or the Apple TV remote and the Apple TV isn’t connected to your network yet? This has me stumped because my tv isn’t a smart tv, it doesn’t connect to the internet, so what am I to do?

Q - " This has me stumped because my tv isn’t a smart tv, it doesn’t connect to the internet,"

A - What is the User trying to achieve ?

A - Some details and context will really help pinpoint what the issue is or is not

You mean you got an Apple TV without its remote?

That is tricky... an iPhone can be used as an Apple TV remote, but I don't know if you can use it that way without first configuring the Apple TV.