isn't your dvr outputing to TV by component cables? I guess your dvr should receive signal and output to TV although you have cancelled dish network subscription. I am not using a dvr but a 822 receiver from dish network many years ago. I can't received their subscription channels but I can receive their 101 info channel and all local high def channels for OA vy Terk TV42.
another thing - if you use a viewset with weather forcaster you will receive all channels.