Text ad besides image ad

What if...

[adfree]

I just saw a major reference site using text base ads besides another image ad in two side-by-side skyscapers.

Now, what if GMBot can't deliver a suitable image ad for the second skyscraper, wouldn't that mean it would pick text instead and therefore produce a violation of the TOS because the site would serve two text ad containers (besides the layout implication which would make the page look ugly)?

[richmondsteve]

I would assume so. Is it a regular AdSense publisher or a premium partner?

[adfree]

Given the size and importance of the site I would assume it's a premium, maybe they have features from G like only serving image ads if available and if not this part of the code would be ignored, leaving this spot empty (far right side anyway)?

[richmondsteve]

Right - that's a possibility. They're not subject to the same rules and have historically had some features before the rest of us.