# Getty Images Holdings, Inc. (GETY) — merger [terminated]
Source: SEC API (secapi.ai) · situation sit_c79502ea8658a25bef53 · retrieved 2026-08-12T21:29:12.989Z

## Overview
Getty Images Holdings, Inc. is a preeminent global visual content creator and marketplace offering a full range of content solutions through its Getty Images, iStock, and Unsplash brands, serving customers in almost every country worldwide.

Getty Images Holdings, Inc. terminated its merger agreement with Shutterstock, effective July 7, 2026. The Board resolved on June 30, 2026 not to proceed with Shutterstock's sale of its editorial business under CMA supervision, a condition required for CMA clearance that Getty Images was not obligated to accept. Following the termination, the $628.4 million of 10.5% Senior Secured Notes issued in connection with the proposed merger were redeemed at par in July 2026 using amounts released from escrow.

## Terms
- Counterparty: Shutterstock, Inc. · Deal value: $628.4M

## Key dates
- Expiry 2026-07-06 · Terminated 2026-07-07

## Timeline
- 2026-02-19 · 425 (0001213900-26-018177): 425 - Getty Images Holdings, Inc. — *Getty Images is a preeminent global visual content creator and marketplace that offers a full range of content solutions through its Getty Images, iStock and Unsplash brands, serving customers in almost every country and working with approximately 600,000 content creators and more than 355 content partners.* Getty Images issued a statement on February 19, 2026 regarding the UK Competition and Markets Authority's (CMA) provisional decision on the proposed merger with Shutterstock Inc. The CMA provisionally found that the merger is not expected to result in competition issues in the global Stock content market. However, Getty Images disagreed with the CMA's provisional finding that the merger may result in a substantial lessening of competition in the UK Editorial market. Getty Images stated it will continue to engage constructively with the CMA and file its response in line with the CMA's timeline, while also cooperating with the U.S. Department of Justice as its review progresses.
  https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1898496/0001213900-26-018177.txt
- 2026-02-23 · 425 (0001213900-26-019032): 425 - Getty Images Holdings, Inc. — *Getty Images is a preeminent global visual content creator and marketplace offering a full range of content solutions through its Getty Images, iStock, and Unsplash brands, serving customers in almost every country and working with approximately 600,000 content creators and more than 355 content partners.* Getty Images Holdings, Inc. and Shutterstock Inc. announced on February 23, 2026, that the U.S. Department of Justice has concluded its review of the companies' proposed merger of equals and the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act waiting period has expired without conditions. The merger transaction is expected to deliver substantial synergies across SG&A and CAPEX following close. The companies remain engaged with the UK Competition and Markets Authority, which issued its interim report on February 19 as part of an ongoing Phase 2 review, with a final decision expected by April 19, 2026.
  https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1898496/0001213900-26-019032.txt
- 2026-07-07 · 8-K/A (0001213900-26-076004): Getty Images terminates Shutterstock merger; CMA editorial sale condition unmet — *Getty Images Holdings, Inc. is a digital content platform providing images, videos, and other media assets to customers worldwide.* Getty Images terminated its Agreement and Plan of Merger with Shutterstock, Inc., effective July 7, 2026. The merger, originally announced on January 6, 2025, was conditioned on Getty Images' agreement to sell Shutterstock's editorial business under supervision of the U.K. Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). On June 30, 2026, Getty Images' Board unanimously resolved not to proceed with the editorial business sale process and to terminate the Merger Agreement following the passage of the Second Extended End Date on July 6, 2026. Following termination, Getty Images' outstanding 10.500% senior secured notes due 2030 will be redeemed pursuant to the indenture governing those notes.
  https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1898496/0001213900-26-076004.txt
- 2026-08-10 · 8-K (0001628280-26-055270): 8-K - Getty Images Holdings, Inc. — *Getty Images Holdings, Inc. is a preeminent global visual content creator and marketplace offering a full range of content solutions through its Getty Images, iStock, and Unsplash brands, serving customers in almost every country worldwide.* Getty Images Holdings, Inc. terminated its merger agreement with Shutterstock, effective July 7, 2026. The Board resolved on June 30, 2026 not to proceed with Shutterstock's sale of its editorial business under CMA supervision, a condition required for CMA clearance that Getty Images was not obligated to accept. Following the termination, the $628.4 million of 10.5% Senior Secured Notes issued in connection with the proposed merger were redeemed at par in July 2026 using amounts released from escrow.
  https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1898496/0001628280-26-055270.txt

## Citations
- 0001213900-26-018177 — https://www.sec.gov/cgi-bin/browse-edgar?action=getcompany&type=&dateb=&owner=include&count=40&search_text=000121390026018177
- 0001213900-26-019032 — https://www.sec.gov/cgi-bin/browse-edgar?action=getcompany&type=&dateb=&owner=include&count=40&search_text=000121390026019032
- 0001213900-26-076004 — https://www.sec.gov/cgi-bin/browse-edgar?action=getcompany&type=&dateb=&owner=include&count=40&search_text=000121390026076004
- 0001628280-26-055270 — https://www.sec.gov/cgi-bin/browse-edgar?action=getcompany&type=&dateb=&owner=include&count=40&search_text=000162828026055270