Getty Images Reports $226.6 Million Revenue in Q1 2026, Net Loss Reduced to $4.4 Million

Getty Images Holdings, Inc. reported a revenue of $226.6 million for the first quarter of 2026, reflecting a slight increase of 1.1% from $224.1 million in the same period of 2025. The company's operating expenses decreased marginally to $195.0 million from $196.7 million year-over-year, leading to an income from operations of $31.6 million, up 15.4% from $27.3 million in the prior year. Despite this operational improvement, Getty Images recorded a net loss of $4.4 million, significantly reduced from a net loss of $102.6 million in the first quarter of 2025, primarily due to lower litigation costs and improved foreign exchange gains.

The company experienced notable shifts in its revenue streams, with Creative revenue declining by 4.5% to $126.2 million, while Editorial revenue increased by 11.0% to $91.7 million. The growth in Editorial was attributed to heightened demand driven by events such as the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Games, which positively influenced customer engagement. The overall revenue growth was also supported by a favorable foreign exchange impact, which contributed approximately 360 basis points to reported revenue growth.

Strategically, Getty Images is advancing its merger agreement with Shutterstock, which was announced in January 2025. The company incurred $3.2 million in legal and related costs associated with the merger during the first quarter of 2026, a decrease from $18.0 million in the same period last year. The merger is subject to regulatory approvals, and the company remains committed to addressing competition concerns raised by the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

Operationally, Getty Images reported a decrease in total purchasing customers to 675,000 from 708,000 year-over-year, largely due to a decline in iStock subscriptions. The total active annual subscribers also fell to 258,000 from 318,000, reflecting the impact of the discontinuation of a free trial program. However, the company continues to expand its content library, with a 5.8% increase in its image collection to 616 million and an 11.3% increase in its video collection to 37 million.

Looking ahead, Getty Images anticipates continued challenges from macroeconomic conditions, including inflation and geopolitical tensions, which may affect consumer spending. The company expects to leverage its strategic initiatives, including the merger with Shutterstock and ongoing investments in content and technology, to enhance its market position and drive future growth.