Content loading delays - focus on ads

Hi, many of you may have discovered the website torrentfreak.com

Here is the example page:
http://torrentfreak.com/utorrent-developer-shares-bittorrent-speed-tips-080805/


I am interested in your views of this page, please watch it load while it loads.

This is what happens here in my house.
1. stumble onto torrentfreak.com
2. click one of the sub links - i am actively waiting for this page to load
3. the page loads, the content loads and adsense loads
4. BUT the background image is dark, the content is dark
5. All focus is left on the adsense block which renders correctly and faster than the rest of the content
6. User is now looking at the ads (perhaps clicking what may have been overlooked)
7. Their next background image loads and the main content is viewable with out hassle

Is this a strategy?
Is it loading in the same way in your location?
Is this legal in the adsense world?

(This is not my website)
Comments welcome.

 

I've seen a lot of blogs load that way. I don't think it's a deliberate strategy

 

My friend, what you need is a faster internet connection