UK Competition Watchdog Probes USD 3.7 Billion Getty Images & Shutterstock Merger

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an investigation into the proposed USD 3.7 billion merger between U.S.-listed photo agencies Getty Images and Shutterstock.

The authority said it will assess whether the merger could lead to a substantial lessening of competition in the UK market. The CMA has set October 20, 2025, as the deadline for its phase 1 decision, which will determine whether the deal moves forward without conditions or requires a more detailed phase 2 review. Both Getty Images and Shutterstock have yet to issue detailed statements in response to the regulator’s announcement.