Disney CEO Bob Iger said his company will be "expansive" in its thinking about the future of its linear TV networks, acknowledging that a sale remains an option.

In CNBC interview Thursday, Iger said that Disney has to be "open minded and objective about the future of the business," adding that networks like "may not be core to Disney." Disney owns several linear TV channels, including ABC, FX, National Geographic and Freeform.

Programming produced by those networks might be core to Disney, but the distribution model "definitely broken," Iger said.

"The disruptive forces that have been praying on that business are greater than I thought," Iger said. "We have to come to grips with that."

Linear business is in a decline as more people cut the chord and watching programming on streaming platforms.

Disney also owns ESPN, but Iger suggested that cable channel isn't for sale, reiterating that the company will remain in the sports business.