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UK Competition Regulator Investigates Getty-Shutterstock $3.7B Merger

By  |  June 23, 2025

The proposed $3.7 billion (£2.9 billion) merger between stock image giants Getty Images and Shutterstock is now under scrutiny by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), raising questions about the deal’s potential impact on market competition.

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    Initially announced in January, the high-profile transaction aims to consolidate two of the leading players in the global stock photography and media licensing sector. According to Yahoo, the merger could significantly reshape the landscape for image supply in creative, media, and advertising industries—sparking concerns about a potential monopoly.

    The CMA has officially launched an investigation to determine whether the deal could lead to a “substantial lessening of competition” in the UK. The regulator is specifically assessing whether the merger constitutes a “relevant merger situation” under the UK’s Enterprise Act 2002. Per Yahoo, this move could delay or even block the deal, depending on the findings of the watchdog.

    Related: Shutterstock Shareholders Greenlight Merger with Getty Images

    The merger has already received strong backing from Shutterstock’s shareholders, with 82% voting in favour earlier this month. At the time, Shutterstock CEO Paul Hennessy stated that stakeholders understood the “compelling rationale” behind the transaction, which promises to unite complementary strengths and deliver value in a competitive digital content market.

    Financially, Getty projected the merger would generate between $150 million (£199 million) and $200 million (£159 million) in annual cost savings within three years. Both companies have committed to leveraging combined resources to accelerate innovation, particularly in artificial intelligence, and enhance content offerings.

    If the CMA and other global regulatory bodies grant approval, the deal is expected to be finalized in the second half of 2025. However, with the UK regulator’s inquiry now underway, the merger’s path forward may face additional hurdles.

    Source: Yahoo