The real story behind the world's most cringeworthy New Year's Eve video.

If there was a perfect way to end the year that was 2016, it was with a cringeworthy television segment to trump all cringe.

And it’s an honour – nay, a privilege – to share with you that this very moment occurred on Australian television.

The Loop, a Channel Ten music show that runs on that random free to air channel, Eleven, aired a New Year’s Eve broadcast that we can’t stop watching.

Given that there were approximately 14 people watching the show at the time (not because it’s bad or anything – just because they don’t have the rights to the multi-million dollar fireworks display that literally everyone feels obliged to watch at midnight), the Internet has only just discovered it – ten seconds of pure, sickening, awkwardness.

As the final moments of 2016 approach, the hosts of the show bring a group of ‘competition winners’ on stage with them to countdown the new year.

BUT THE WINNERS LOOK MISERABLE. THEY DON’T SMILE OR ANYTHING AND SOMEONE THROWS SOMETHING AND THEY WANT TO LEAVE THE STAGE AND IT’S SO SERIOUSLY WEIRD YOU HAVE TO WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE.

Since seeing the video, I've made it my mission to find out what the hell is going on. Is it real? Were these people treated badly by the crew and then refused to participate in the countdown? Is it just a group of producers trying to be funny? WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE AND WHY DO THEY HATE NEW YEAR'S EVE.

Here are the crucial pieces of evidence I've gathered to answer the most pressing question of 2017 so far:

It was prerecorded.

If it wasn't live - why on earth would the network air such awkwardness? Surely no countdown is better than...that countdown.

If you're wondering how I know it's not live, I have two words for you: Instagram stalking.

The host of The Loop, Olivia Phyland posted a photo on Instagram of her on New Year's Eve, wearing a DIFFERENT DRESS to the one in the countdown video.

Her caption read, "running away from a fancy venue to find sand, ocean and paddle boards. We made it with 2 minutes to 12...and it was perfect."

Running away from a fancy venue to find sand, ocean and paddle boards. We made it with 2 minutes to 12... and it was perfect. . HAPPY 2017 lovers! ???? If there's one thing I've learnt... happiness is all about perception. No matter how big or small, do something everyday that you love, surround yourself with good humans, challenge yourself... and see the magic in everything! ✌????✨

A photo posted by @livphyland on Dec 31, 2016 at 5:50pm PST

I've never been more suspicious in my LIFE.

Is The Loop studio the 'fancy venue'? Somehow I don't think so. And she comes across as far too happy for someone who's just endured the most painful few seconds of TV I've ever witnessed.

But, on the other hand...

An insider thinks they genuinely were disgruntled competition winners.

On the Youtube video (which currently has almost 170,000 views, 100,000 of which are just me), commenters have weighed in on the debate.

One user wrote, "There are people that believe this was real? It's obviously a bunch of Channel 11 employees who can't act....especially the guy throwing the popper over his shoulder."

But the reply, referencing a comment a person has seen on their Facebook page, suggests something else entirely.

"Friend's comment on my FB page : 'Not crew I assure you. I worked for Ten for 15 years and only left full time in October. I still work there casually and I've never seen any of those people in my life. They'd be winners but there was probably a skeleton crew on and no one to rev them up before they appeared I'm guessing. They look like they've been shoved out there and are all dumbstruck.'"

GOODNESS.

Scott Tweedie, the male host, is being CRYPTIC.

In a series of tweets addressing the incident, Tweedie responded to Chrissie Swan, suggesting the whole thing was real.

@ChrissieSwan @loopeleven they all won! Haha

— Scott Tweedie (@Scott_Tweedie) January 2, 2017

BUT THEN - was he being sarcastic?

@mickyb273 @ChrissieSwan @loopeleven they won the biggest prize of 2016 - the countdown! Very lucky people

— Scott Tweedie (@Scott_Tweedie) January 2, 2017

@ChrissieSwan @mickyb273 @loopeleven what are you guys on about? What tweets???

— Scott Tweedie (@Scott_Tweedie) January 2, 2017

DELETE WHAT TWEETS?! TWEETS SAYING IT WAS A JOKE. OMG.

@ChrissieSwan @mickyb273 @loopeleven security escorted the lady who threw her popper at Liv out of the building immediately

— Scott Tweedie (@Scott_Tweedie) January 2, 2017

But the comments suggest one thing...

After reading literally hundreds of comments, I've come to the tentative conclusion that...it's a joke. I feel like if it were real, the competition winners would have commented somewhere, explaining what happened. A lot of people are certain it's not real, and are being very patronising to news organisations suggesting that it is - so maybe they know something I don't.

OR MAYBE NOT.

The problem, though, is that it's not really HA-HA funny. It's just...weird. But then again, that's a sentiment that sums up 2016 pretty perfectly.