This work focuses on the development of a simple and robust secondary regulator for the load frequency control (LFC) of multi-area traditional thermal-hydro (MATTH) systems under load disturbances. The integral-double derivative filter (IDDF) based on the recent soft computing approach of the black widow optimization algorithm (BWOA) is proposed whose operational efficacy is demonstrated with the performances of other controllers. The analysis on MATTH is initiated with 10%-step load disturbance (SLD). Moreover, the communication time delays (CTDs) are considered with the MATTH system while testing the performance of the suggested controller and the subsequent effect on the system performance is revealed. The HVDC line is enacted with MATTH as a territory control mechanism, and simulation analysis revealed the achievement of considerable improvement in the system performance.