In 1997, the station was sold by Electrohome and Baton Broadcasting to CHUM Limited as a result of an affiliation swap which saw BBS gain control of the CTV network. CHUM would reformat the station (along with the other independent stations that CHUM acquired in the deal) with a lineup and branding similar to its new sister station CKVR-TV in Barrie, which would be known as "NewNet". CHWI would be rebranded as "The New WI" as a part of the format change.