Getty Faces Crossroads in UK Market

Getty Images finds itself at a critical juncture as competition authorities scrutinize its proposed acquisition of Shutterstock. CEO Craig Peters didn't mince words when discussing the potential consequences: "We'd be forced to fundamentally rethink our UK strategy if this deal gets blocked."

The AI Factor Changing the Game

The heart of Getty's argument lies in artificial intelligence's disruptive influence. Traditional market analysis, Peters argues, simply doesn't reflect how AI has revolutionized content creation. "Regulators are playing checkers while the industry moves at chess speed," he remarked during a recent interview.

This technological shift creates paradoxical challenges:

• Exploding demand for digital visuals
• New competitors emerging overnight
• Pricing models undergoing complete overhauls

Potential Fallout for UK Operations

Should the £1.2 billion deal collapse, Getty warns of tangible consequences:

Investment reductions: The company may scale back planned expansions in London and Manchester. Workforce impacts: Up to 200 specialized roles could face reassessment. Market withdrawal: Certain niche services might become economically unviable.

"We're not making threats," Peters clarified, "just explaining economic realities."

Regulatory Adaptation Needed

The CEO called for modernization of competition frameworks, suggesting current methods evaluate markets through outdated lenses. "When you're measuring market share in terabytes instead of square footage, you need new metrics," he observed.

The Competition and Markets Authority declined to comment on ongoing proceedings but confirmed their review would conclude by Q2 2026.

Key Points:

• UK operations at risk: Getty may reduce investments if merger blocked
• AI disruption ignored: Current regulations don't account for tech transformation
• Jobs could suffer: Hundreds of specialized positions face uncertainty