UK Demands Shutterstock Editorial Sale to Clear Getty Images Merger

2 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · Apr 16

UK regulators have proposed that Shutterstock sell its entire editorial business to secure approval for its $3.7 billion acquisition by Getty Images.
The Competition and Markets Authority raised competition concerns, warning the deal could reduce choices for UK media outlets.
Getty Images disagrees with the findings and plans to meet with the regulator as the consultation proceeds.

Could a new buyer for Shutterstock’s editorial assets realistically compete, or would the merged giant still dominate?

If the US approved the merger unconditionally, why is the UK insisting on such strict remedies—are their markets really so different?

With AI unable to replicate real editorial content, will divesting assets like Splash News and Backgrid actually protect media diversity?

How might limiting access to rights-cleared editorial images affect the development and ethics of AI training in the future?

As newspaper circulation plummets and local outlets close, does the CMA risk protecting a market that’s already in decline?