Yep, it's likely to be a short, but not a simple thing like a paper clip that fell across the power wires.
Most likely a capacitor or transistor shorted, one of the bigger ones, like the power supply switching-mode transistor or its drivers. When that shorts it can blow the horizontal output transistor, or vice- versa. Plus maybe weakening or blowing out nearby diodes and capacitors.
Worse yet, the real cause of the first transistor blowing is often yet some OTHER part being a bit below par, something not easily diagnosed, as it can be something subtle like a capacitor having a somewhat high ESR. So even if you replace the bad transistors ($$$) the underlying cause is likely to blow them again in a millisecond or maybe a week.
And you can't just replace one bad component at a time, as the other bad ones are likely to blow the new component toute-suite.
To do this right you need a source of gentle line voltage, like a Variac, lots of spare parts, lots of patience.
I'd recommend you make the best of a bad situation and throw the TV off a very tall building. Taking all appropriate safety precautions of course.