Getty Images reports first-quarter subscriptions up 57%

Getty Images reported mixed first-quarter 2026 results, as growth in editorial and corporate business offset continued weakness in creative and microstock segments. The visual content giant posted revenue of $226.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, up 1.1% year over year, while maintaining its full-year guidance despite ongoing market challenges.

CEO Craig Peters said the quarter reflected a “dynamic market environment,” with the company continuing to face pressure in its agency and microstock businesses. However, Peters emphasized the strength of Getty’s broader business, citing customer renewals, premium content offerings, and expanding opportunities in corporate accounts. Corporate customers now account for more than 60% of total revenue and grew nearly 6% year over year.

A major highlight for the quarter was Getty Images’ editorial business, which grew 11% year over year to $91.7 million, driven in part by major event coverage, including the Winter Olympics. In contrast, creative revenue declined 4.5% to $126.2 million, reflecting continued softness in the traditional stock imagery market. Annual subscription revenue represented 57.4% of total revenue, continuing Getty’s strategic shift toward recurring subscription-based revenue streams.

Profitability improved significantly compared to the prior year. Getty Images reported a net loss of $4.4 million, a substantial improvement from the $102.6 million loss posted in the first quarter of 2025. The improvement was driven by lower tax expenses, favorable foreign exchange impacts, reduced merger-related costs, and improved non-operating income. Adjusted EBITDA, however, fell 12.2% year over year to $61.6 million, with margins declining to 27.2% from 31.3% a year earlier. The company attributed the lower margins to higher costs associated with Winter Olympics coverage and changes in revenue mix.

Getty Images also reported improved cash generation, with free cash flow rising to $24 million compared to negative free cash flow in the prior-year quarter. The company ended the quarter with $96.6 million in cash and total available liquidity of $246.6 million. Total debt stood at approximately $2 billion.

The company continues to pursue its proposed merger with Shutterstock, first announced in January 2025. Regulatory approval remains under review in the United Kingdom, where the Competition and Markets Authority has raised concerns regarding competition in the editorial imagery market. Getty and Shutterstock said they remain hopeful the transaction will close later in 2026