The Getty Creative collection has grown by 4% in 4 months and now stands at 17,376,859 images. At that rate the collection size will be about 19,462,082 images by the end of 2017. In August 38% of the collection was RM images. Today 36.8% of the images are RM. At this rate of decline less than one-third of the images will be RM by the end of 2017. A huge percentage of these RM images are supplied by
image partner agencies that only, or predominately, represent RM images.
It should be noted that Getty is encouraging a significant number of their RM suppliers to move a large portion of their RM images to an RF licensing model. Thus, it would not be surprising if less than 30% of the images in the Getty Creative Collection are RM at the end of 2017.
It is worth noting that back in 2006 Getty had a total of 1,761,214 images in its creative collection and 55% were RM. At that time 45% of the images were RF and they generated 44% of the gross annual revenue. (See:
http://www.selling-stock.com/Article/eleven-year-trends-for-rm-and-rf-sales) Considering how the prices for both RM and RF have changed in the last decade, it will not be surprising if total RM revenue in 2016 is less than one-third of Getty’s total Creative revenue. I estimate Getty’s 2016 Creative revenue will be less than $280 million.
The following a few stories published in the last few months that will give you an idea of what I think the future holds for RM.
How About Some Encouraging Information For RM 12/9/2016
http://www.selling-stock.com/Article/how-about-some-encouraging-information-for-rm
Why RM? 7/11/2016
http://www.selling-stock.com/Article/why-rm
Decision Time For RM Photographers 8/8/2016
http://www.selling-stock.com/Article/decision-time-for-rm-photographers
Aurora Photos Adapts To Changing Business 7/28/2016
http://www.selling-stock.com/Article/aurora-photos-adapts-to-changing-business
Blend Launches New Website 8/9/2016
http://www.selling-stock.com/Article/blend-images-launches-new-website
Rights Simplified Pricing 7/14/2016
http://www.selling-stock.com/Article/rights-simplified-pricing-alternative-to-rm
Is Simplified RM Pricing Really Needed? 7/18/2016
http://www.selling-stock.com/Article/is-simplified-rm-really-needed
RF Limitations 7/20/2016
http://www.selling-stock.com/Article/rf-limitations
What Is The Future Of RM? 1/13/2008
http://www.selling-stock.com/Article/whats-the-future-for-rm