Getty Images to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in deal to go private following failed Shutterstock merger

Getty Images, with 477 million assets and 600,000 photographers, plans to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and go private by 2026. The company reported $229.1M revenue in Q2 2026 and aims to eliminate $2.1B in debt. Koch Equity Development and the Getty family will invest $533M. A merger with Shutterstock failed due to antitrust concerns, and AI disruption has impacted demand. Subscribers declined from 321,000 to 241,000 in 2025. Getty will delist from the NYSE after shares fell below $1.

Getty Images (NYSE:GETY) plans to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection under a $533 million rescue deal to reduce debt and go private. Investors, including the Getty family and Koch Equity Development, will provide new equity, while creditors will eliminate $270 million in unsecured debt. The restructuring, expected to complete by 2026, will transfer 100% ownership to the investors, potentially leaving existing shareholders with no value.

Koch Equity Development will acquire Getty Images through a prepackaged bankruptcy. The deal involves $533 million in equity from Koch and the Getty family, and $270 million in debt retirement. Getty's stock was delisted from the NYSE in September. The company has faced challenges from AI-generated images.

Getty Images plans to go private and file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Koch Equity Development and the Getty family will invest $533M in equity. Noteholders agreed to reduce $270M in unsecured debt. The deal aims to restructure the company's financial obligations.

Getty Images plans to go private via a $533M deal with the Getty family and Koch Equity Development, filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to cut debt. The company had $1.3B in debt as of June 30. The restructuring, expected to complete by year-end, follows a failed merger with Shutterstock and aims to address financial struggles amid AI competition.

Getty Images plans a prepackaged Chapter 11 bankruptcy to go private, backed by $533M in equity from the Getty family and Koch Equity Development. The restructuring will retire $270M in unsecured bonds and adjust secured debt terms. Operations will continue normally, and the process is expected to complete by year-end. The plan follows the collapse of a $3.7B merger with Shutterstock due to regulatory conditions.