UK Competition Watchdog Flags Concerns Over Proposed Getty and Shutterstock Merger

The United Kingdom’s competition regulator has raised concerns about the planned merger between global image licensing giants Getty Images and Shutterstock, warning that the deal could reduce competition in the supply of stock photography and visual content services.

The Competition and Markets Authority said its initial review found that combining the two companies may lead to higher prices and fewer choices for customers, particularly businesses, media organizations and creative professionals that rely on licensed images, videos and digital assets. The watchdog has launched a deeper investigation to determine whether the merger would substantially lessen competition in the UK market.

Getty Images and Shutterstock are among the world’s largest providers of stock content, supplying photographs, illustrations, video footage and music to clients ranging from advertising agencies to newsrooms and corporate marketing teams. Together, they control extensive libraries of licensed material and operate global distribution networks.

In its preliminary findings, the regulator indicated that the merger could concentrate market power in a sector already dominated by a small number of large platforms. Officials said they are examining whether the combined entity would have the ability and incentive to increase subscription fees, reduce royalty rates paid to contributors or limit innovation in digital licensing tools.

The CMA noted that smaller competitors may struggle to match the scale and breadth of content offered by a merged Getty Shutterstock group. This could potentially make it harder for new entrants to challenge the combined company, especially as artificial intelligence tools and automated content generation become more integrated into image libraries and search systems.

Both Getty Images and Shutterstock have stated that the merger would create efficiencies and strengthen their ability to compete globally, particularly against emerging technology driven platforms. They argue that the deal would allow for greater investment in technology, improved search capabilities and enhanced services for contributors and customers.

The regulator’s review will now move into a more detailed phase, during which it will gather evidence from industry participants, advertisers, creative agencies and content creators. If concerns remain unresolved, the watchdog has the authority to impose conditions on the merger or block it entirely.

The proposed transaction comes at a time of rapid change in the digital content industry. The growth of social media marketing, online publishing and AI powered design tools has increased demand for high quality, licensed visuals. At the same time, contributors have raised questions about pricing models and the impact of consolidation on royalties.

The outcome of the investigation could have significant implications for the creative economy in the United Kingdom, where thousands of photographers, videographers and designers depend on stock platforms for income. The CMA has invited interested parties to submit feedback as part of its inquiry.