Story highlights The size of the reservations is $7.7 million, with $3.6 million for Iowa and $4.1 for New Hampshire, an aide said

The aide said it made sense to reserve time now because the campaign now holds the rights to the most in-demand slots

(CNN) Hillary Clinton's campaign has reserved nearly $8 million in television air time in Iowa and New Hampshire ahead of the state's nominating contests, Clinton aides said Friday.

One aide said they decided to reserve the time now due to the sheer size of the Republican field and the fact many outside groups will be buying ad time in Iowa and New Hampshire.

The combined size of the reservations is $7.7 million. $3.6 million is for Iowa and $4.1 is for New Hampshire, the aide said.

The aide said it made sense to reserve time now because the campaign now holds the rights to the most in-demand slots: the first week of November until the date of the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary, both of which take place early next year.

The aide added that the reservation does not require the campaign to air ads.

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