Getty Images Holdings, Inc. (GETY) Q3 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Third quarter revenue $240 million, representing a slight year-over-year decrease of 0.2% and 2% on a currency-neutral basis. The decrease was due to declines in editorial revenue and agency customers, partially offset by growth in creative revenue.
Adjusted EBITDA $78.7 million for the quarter, down 2.4% reported and 4.4% on a currency-neutral basis at a margin of 32.8% of revenue. The decline was attributed to increased SG&A expenses, including costs for SOX compliance and litigation.
Annual subscription revenue 58.4% of total revenue, up from 52.4% in Q3 of last year, representing year-on-year growth of 11.2% or 9.3% on a currency-neutral basis. Growth was driven by premium access, which grew 17% or 15% currency neutral, aided by a large renewal.
Creator revenue $144.9 million for the quarter, up 8.4% year-on-year and 6.4% on a currency-neutral basis. Growth was driven by premium access revenue, video, Unsplash+, and custom content, while agency revenue declined 22% year-on-year.
Editorial revenue $89.3 million, down 3.7% year-on-year and 5.6% on a currency-neutral basis. The decline was due to double-digit decreases in news and sports, partially offset by growth in entertainment and archives.
Other revenue $5.8 million, down from $14.1 million in Q3 '24. The decline was due to the timing of prior year revenue recognition for creative content deals, including AI rights.
Adjusted EBITDA less CapEx $64 million, down 6.1% or 8.1% on a currency-neutral basis. The decline was due to increased CapEx and lower adjusted EBITDA.
Free cash flow $7.9 million compared to negative $1.8 million in Q3 2024. The increase was due to changes in working capital, primarily the timing of receivables and payables.
SG&A expense $101 million, up $0.9 million year-on-year. The increase was due to $3 million of professional fees for SOX compliance and $1 million for litigation costs.
CapEx $14.7 million in Q3, up $2.2 million year-over-year. The increase reflects the timing of payments for routine CapEx spend.
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- Compliance Notice: Getty Images received a notice from the New York Stock Exchange on March 17, indicating non-compliance with the minimum average share price of $1.00 over 30 consecutive trading days, although this notice does not affect the current listing or trading status.
- Remediation Plan: The company has six months to regain compliance and intends to notify the exchange of its plan within 10 business days, demonstrating a proactive approach to addressing the issue.
- Operational Impact: Despite the compliance notice, Getty Images emphasized that it does not impact its operations, regulatory reporting, or strategic initiatives, indicating stability in the face of challenges.
- Stock Price Movement: As of the latest trading, GETY shares rose by 0.29% to $0.8197, reflecting market confidence in the company's future compliance plans.
- Record Revenue: Getty Images achieved a record revenue of $981.3 million in 2025, reflecting a 4.5% year-over-year increase, with Q4 revenue reaching $282.3 million, up 14.1% from the previous year, indicating strong growth in both creative and editorial segments.
- Key Licensing Agreements: The company completed two significant multiyear licensing agreements in Q4 with a major social platform and a large AI company, which not only provided immediate revenue but also established a foundation for future recurring revenue streams, enhancing competitive positioning.
- Subscription Revenue Shift: Although annual subscription revenue accounted for 48.6% of total Q4 revenue, down from 54.9% a year earlier, the subscription mix would have been 56.6% without the new agreements, reflecting the company's efforts to adapt its business structure to market demands.
- 2026 Outlook: Getty Images projects 2026 revenue between $948 million and $988 million, facing a potential decline of 3.4% to 0.6%, yet management remains optimistic about core business growth, emphasizing a commitment to expanding recurring revenue streams.











