diff --git a/youtube_dl/extractor/bbc.py b/youtube_dl/extractor/bbc.py
index 9fca76557..a2333aea0 100644
--- a/youtube_dl/extractor/bbc.py
+++ b/youtube_dl/extractor/bbc.py
@@ -971,8 +971,12 @@ class BBCIE(BBCCoUkIE):
                 if initial_data:
                     initial_data = try_get(initial_data, lambda x: x['initData']['items'][0], dict)
                     if initial_data:
-                        initial_data.update(initial_data.get('smpData',{}))
-                        programme_id = initial_data.get('versionID')
+                        smp_data = initial_data.get('smpData',{})
+                        clip_data = try_get(smp_data, lambda x: x['items'][0], dict)
+                        if clip_data:
+                            initial_data.update(smp_data)
+                            initial_data.update(clip_data)
+                            programme_id = initial_data.get('versionID')
                 if programme_id:
                     alt_title = initial_data.get('shortTitle', 'BBC Reel clip %s'% programme_id)
                     title = initial_data.get('title', alt_title)