Getty Images to go Private After Debt Restructuring Deal

US photography company Getty Images has reached an agreement with major lenders to restructure its debt, go private and pursue a pre-packaged bankruptcy process.

The company, which partners with Agence France-Presse (AFP) and other media organisations, said members of the Getty family and affiliates of Koch Equity Development would invest up to $533 million in new equity to reduce its debt.

Getty said it had “reached agreement with all of its major financial stakeholder groups on the terms of a comprehensive restructuring”.

The company said it would continue operating normally throughout the process, supported by up to $143 million in financing from Koch, alongside cash generated from its ongoing business.

“There is no anticipated impact on content contributors, partners, customers, or employees across the Company’s worldwide network,” Getty said.

The company plans to file for pre-packaged Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to obtain court approval for the restructuring.

“The requisite majority of creditors have committed to vote in favor of the Plan,” Getty said, adding that it expected the process to be completed by the end of 2026.

The announcement followed a securities filing earlier this month in which Getty disclosed that it had been notified of plans to delist its shares from the New York Stock Exchange after their value fell below $1.

Getty reported a loss of $206.1 million in 2025.