Is something like Plex an option? Get a hard drive, set up a request system (Ombi), then a little app on their phone can take requests and download the shows they feel like they're missing.
Done right it's a one time set up, and an up front payment but over the course of a year I feel like you're saving the cost of either DirectTV or the streaming services.
Also, you can tell them that DirecTV simply licenses shows the way streaming services do which is why they won't lose any content.
DirecTV also may something they prefer simply for what they're used to. At 7pm the same show comes on every day. If that's a part of it, my previous suggestion of a server for media is able to put together TV channels using something like DizqueTV. I understand that it's a bit of effort, though.
I'm not sure I agree with this... it's like if no one is around to hear a tree fall, does it make a sound?